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ESAIBEILILA ©1AIAH 
of NewToit 



London, Tublishcd by Ogl&, Duncan, & C° 1821. 



THE 

POWER OF FAITH, 

EXEMPLIFIED IN THE 

LIFE AND WRITINGS 

OF THE LATE 

Mrs ISABELLA GRAHAM, 

r f 

OF 

NEW-YORK. 



The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom ; and before 
honour is humility.— The Lord will destroy the house of the proud : Vat 
he will establish the border of the widow. 



A NEW EDITION. 



NEW-YORK PRINTED. 

LONDON: 

Re printed for 

OGLE, DUNCAN, AND CO. PATERNOSTER-ROW; 

L WAUGH AND INNES, EDINBURGH; AND 
M. OGLE, GLASGOW. 

MDCCCXX1I. 






LONDON: 
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES i 

NortbximlDerlard-covirt* 



CONTENTS, 



Page 

Life of Mrs. Graham . ♦ j 

Devotional Exercises 66 

Provision for her last Journey through the Wilderness, and 

Passage over Jordan 196 

Poetry ..<..*..••• , , 245 

LETTERS. 

To Mrs. Grandidier ...... 262 

Extracts of Letters to P — , chiefly written when she was in 

affliction. , 265 

To Mrs. G— y 294 

Extracts from Letters written to Mr. and Mrs. B — , while in 
Britain, for the benefit of Mrs. B.'s health, in 1801 

and I8O-2 s 29b 

To the same in New-York . . 329 

To Mr. A. D— , Edinburgh 334 

To Mrs. O--, Edinburgh , 33S 

To Miss M— 341 

To Mrs. Juliet S— , New-York , 351 

To Miss Van Wyck, New-York . 35S 

To the same 359 

To Mr. James Todd, New-York . 364 

To Mrs: J. W— 3 6 7 

To Dr. H. M— , Rothsay, Bute. 37i 

To the same ,..,,,...,.......,..,, 373 

Te Dr . Marshall , MMMIf , , , , f , f \ f , , , ,„ 376 



IT CONTENTS. 

Page 
To Mrs. Marshall 380 

Letter from Viscountess Glenorchy to Mrs. Graham 332 

ADDRESSES. 

To the Society for the Relief of Poor Widows with small 

Children, isoo 385 

To thesame April, 1806 38S 

On opening a School for poor Children ; addressed to the Teach- 
ers who volunteered their Services • 394 

Extract from the concluding part of Mrs. Graham's last Will and 

Testament 399 

Lines on the Decease of Mrs. Graham •*.•••»,.•••,.. 39» 



LIFE AND WRITINGS 

OF 

MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 



jLN writing the volumes of biography, so frequently 
presented to the world, the motives of their authors 
have been various, and the subjects diversified. 

Mankind take an interest in the history of those, 
who, like themselves, have encountered the trials and 
discharged the duties of life. Too often, however, pub- 
licity is given to the lives of men, splendid in acts 
of mighty mischief, in whom the secret exercises of 
the heart would not bear a scrutiny. The memoirs are 
comparatively few, of those engaged in the humble and 
useful walks of active benevolence, where the breathings 
of the soid would display a character much to be admired, 
and more to be imitated. 

The celebrated Dr. Buchanan has observed, that, if you 
were to ask certain persons, even in Christian countries 
if they had any acquaintance with the religious world, 
they would say, " they had never heard there was such 
a world.' While the external conduct of individuals is 
made the subject of much critical remark, the religion 
of the heart, the secret source of action, too frequently 
escapes unnoticed and unexplored. 

It is only when the career of life is closed, that the 
character is completely established. On this account, 
memoirs of the living are in few instances read with 

B 



2 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

much interest by others ; or contemplated without the 
danger of self-deception, and too much complacency, 
by the living subjects themselves. 

But when the soul has departed, and the body sleeps 
in dust, it may prove useful to survivors, to examine the 
principles which led their departed friend to a life of 
honourable benevolence, and to a peaceful end. 

On this account, and at the urgent request of many 
respectable persons, it has been deemed advisable to 
publish some of the writings of Mrs. Isabella Graham, 
recently called away from us, whose character was so 
esteemed, and whose memory is so venerated in the 
city where she dwelt. 

Self was so totally absent from all her motives to 
activity in deeds of benevolence, that she at once com- 
manded love and respect ; and, in her case peculiarly, 
unalloyed with any risings of jealousy, en\y, or distrust. 
Blessed with a spirit of philanthropy, with an ardent 
and generous mind, a sound judgment, an excess of 
that sensibility which moulds the soul for friendship, 
a cultivated intellect, and the rich stores of ample ex- 
perience, her company was eagerly sought, and highly 
valued, by old and young. Though happily qualified 
to shine in the drawing-room, she spent but a small 
portion of her time there ; for such a disposition of 
it would have been mere waste, contrasted with her 
usual employments. Her step was never seen ascend- 
ing the hill of ambition, nor tracing the mazes of 
popular applause. Where the widow and the orphan 
wept, where the sick and the dying moaned, thither 
her footsteps hastened ; and there, seen only by her 
heavenly Father, she administered to their temporal 
wants, breathed the voice of consolation on their ear, 
shed the tears of sympathy, exhibited the truths of 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 3 

the Gospel from the sacred volume, and poured out 
her soul for them in prayer to her Saviour and her God. 

In a few such deeds she rested not ; the knowledge 
of them was not obtruded upon others, nor recorded 
by herself. The recollection of past exertions was lost 
in her zeal to accomplish greater purposes and greater 
good ; her heart expanded with her experience, and her 
means were too limited, her activity almost inaction, 
compared with the abounding desires of her soul to 
alleviate the miseries, and to increase the comforts, of 
the poor, the destitute, and the afflicted. 

Let no one think this picture the painting of fancy, 
or the colouring of partial affection. It is sober truth ; 
a real character. 

To know the latent springs of such external excel- 
lence, is worthy of research ; they may be all summed up 
in this, ' the Religion of the Heart.' 

The extracts from Mrs. Graham's letters and from 
her devotional exercises, will form the best develope- 
ment of her principles, and may with the blessing of 
God, prove useful to those who read them. In all her 
writings will be manifested the power of faith, the 
efficiency of grace ; and in them, as in her own uniform 
confession, Jesus will be magnified, and self will be 
humbled. 

In connexion with such a publication, it is thought 
that a short sketch of her life will prove acceptable ; 
a life chiefly distinguished by her continual depend - 
ance on God, and his unceasing faithfulness and mercy 
towards her. 

Isabella Marshall, (afterwards Mrs. Graham) was born 
on the 29th of July, 1742, in the shire of Lanark, 
in Scotland. Her grandfather was one of the elders 
who quitted the established church with the Rev. 

B 2 



4 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Messrs. Ralph, and Ebenezer Erskine. She was edu- 
cated in the principles of the church of Scotland. 
Her father and mother were both pious ; indeed, her 
mother, whose maiden name was Janet Hamilton, 
appears from her letters yet extant, to have possessed 
a mind of the same character as her daughter after- 
wards exhibited. 

Isabella was trained to an active life as well as 
favoured with a superior education. Her grandfather, 
whose dying bed she had assiduously attended, be- 
queathed her a legacy of some hundred pounds. In 
the use to which she applied this money, the sound- 
ness of her judgment thus early manifested itself. She 
requested it might be appropriated to the purpose of 
giving her a finished education. When ten years of 
age, she was sent to a boarding-school, taught by a 
lady of distinguished talents and piety. Often has 
Mrs. Graham repeated to her children the maxims of 
Mrs. Betty Morehead. With ardent and unwearied 
endeavours to attain mental endowments, and especially 
moral and religious knowledge, she attended the in- 
structions of Mrs. Morehead for seven successive win- 
ters. How valuable is early instruction! With the 
blessing of God, it is probable that fthis instructress 
had laid the foundation of the exertions and usefulness 
of her pupil in after-life. How wise and how gracious 
are the ways of the Lord! — Knowing the path in 
which he was afterwards to lead Isabella Marshall, her 
God was pleased to provide her an education of a 
much higher kind than was usual in those days. Who 
would not trust that God who alone can be the guide of 
our youth! 

Her father, John Marshall, farmed a paternal estate, 
called the Heads, near Hamilton. This estate he sold, 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 5 

and rented the estate of Eldersley, once the habitation of 
Sir William Wallace. There Isabella passed her child- 
hood and her youth. She had no precise recollection of 
the period at which her heart first tasted that the Lord teas 
gracious. As long as she could remember, she took 
delight in pouring out her soul to God. 

In the woods of Eldersley she selected a bush, to 
which she resorted in the season of devotion : under this 
bush she was enabled to devote herself to God, through 
faith in her Redeemer, before she had attained to her 
tenth year. To this favourite, and, to her, sacred spot, 
she would repair, when exposed to temptation or per- 
plexed with childish troubles. From thence she caused 
her prayers to ascend, and always found peace and 
consolation. 

Children cannot at too early a period seek the favour 
of the God of heaven. How blessed to be reared and fed 
by his hand, taught by his Spirit, and strengthened by 
his grace. 

The late Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, afterwards president of 
Princeton college, was at this time one of the ministers 
of the town of Paisley. Isabella sat under his ministry, 
and at the age of seventeen she was admitted by him to 
the sacrament of the Lord's supper. In the year 1765 
she was married to Doctor John Graham, then a prac- 
tising physician in Paisley ; a gentleman of liberal edu- 
cation and of respectable standing. 

About a year after their marriage, Doctor Graham was 
ordered to join his regiment, the Royal Americans, then 
stationed in Canada. 

Before they sailed for America, a plan had been 
digested for their permanent residence in that country. 
Doctor Graham calculated on disposing of his commission, 
and purchasing a tract of land on the Mohawk river, to 

B 3 



6 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

which his father-in-law, Mr. Marshall, and his family 
were to follow him. 

The regiment was quartered at Montreal for several 
months, and here Jessie, the eldest daughter of Doctor and 
Mrs. Graham, was born. They afterwards removed to 
Fort Niagara on Lake Ontario, and continued in gar- 
rison there for four years ; here Joanna and Isabella 
Graham were born. Mrs. Graham always considered 
the time she passed at Niagara as the happiest of her 
days, contemplated in a temporal view. The officers 
of the regiment were amiable men, and attached to 
each other. A few of them were married, and their 
ladies were united in the ties of friendship. The 
society there, secluded from the world, exempt from the 
collision of individual and separate interests, which often 
create so much discord in large communities ; and 
studious to promote the happiness of each other, en- 
joyed that tranquillity and contentment, which ever 
accompany a disinterested interchange of friendly offices. 
This fort being in a situation detached from other 
settlements, the garrison were consequently deprived 
of ordinances, and the public means of grace ; the life 
of religion in the soul of Mrs. Graham was therefore 
at a low ebb. A conscientious observance of the Sab- 
bath, which throughout life she maintained, proved to her 
at Niagara as a remembrance and revival of devotional 
exercises. She wandered on those sacred days, into 
the woods around Niagara, searched her bible, com- 
muned with her God, and herself, and poured out her 
soul in prayer to her covenant Lord. Throughout the 
week, the attention of her friends, her domestic comfort 
and employments, and the amusements pursued in the 
garrison, she used to confess, occupied too much of her 
time, and of her affections. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 7 

Here we behold a little society enjoying much 
comfort and happiness in each other, yet falling short 
of that pre-eminent duty and superior blessedness, of 
glorifying, as they ought to have done, the God of 
heaven, who fed them by his bounty, and offered them 
a full and free salvation in the gospel of his Son. No 
enjoyments, nor possessions, however ample and accept- 
able, can crown the soul with peace and true felicity, 
unless accompanied with the fear and favour of Him, who 
can speak pardon to the transgressor, and " shed abroad 
his love in the hearts" of his children ; thus giving an 
earnest of spiritual and eternal blessedness, along with 
temporal good. 

The commencement of the revolutionary struggle in 
America, rendered it necessary, in the estimation of the 
British government, to order to another scene of action 
the sixtieth regiment, composed in a great measure of 
Americans. 

Their destination was the island of Antigua; Dr. 
Graham, Mrs. Graham, and their family, consisting 
now of three infant daughters, and two young Indian 
girls, crossed the woods from Niagara to Oswegatche, 
aud from thence descended the Mohawk in batteaux 
to Schenectady. Here Dr. Graham left his family and 
went to New- York, to complete a negotiation he had 
entered into for the sale of his commission, to enable 
him to settle, as he originally intended, on a tract of 
land which it was in his power to purchase on the 
banks of the river they had just descended. The gentle- 
man who proposed to purchase his commission, not 
being able to perfect the arrangement in time, Dr. 
Graham found himself under the necessity of proceed- 
ing to Antigua with the regiment. Mrs. Graham, on 
learning this, hurried down with her family to accom- 

B 4 



8 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

pany him, although he had left it optional with her to re- 
main. 

At New- York they were treated with much kindness 
by the late Rev. Dr. John Rodgers, and others, espe- 
cially by the family of Mr. Vanbrugh Livingston. With 
Mr. Livingston's daughter, the wife of Major Brown, 
of the sixtieth regiment, Mrs. Graham formed a very 
warm friendship, which continued during the life of Mrs. 
Brown. 

On their arrival in Antigua, Mrs. Graham was intro- 
duced to the families of two brothers of the name of 
Gilbert, gentlemen of property, and great piety. They 
were connected with the Methodists, and, by their pious 
exertions, and exemplary lives, with the blessing of 
God, became instruments of much good to many in that 
island. 

Dr. and Mrs. Graham participated largely in the hos- 
pitality and friendship of many respectable families at 
St. John's. 

Dr. Graham was absent in St. Vincent's for some 
months; having accompanied, as surgeon, a military force, 
under Major Etherington, sent thither to quell an insur- 
rection of the Caribbeans. 

On his return to Antigua, he found Mrs. Graham 
almost inconsolable for the loss of her valuable mother, 
the tidings of whose death had just reached her. He 
roused her from this state of mind by saying, that 
' God might perhaps call her to a severer trial by 
taking her husband also/ The warning appeared pro- 
phetic. On the 17th of November 1774, he was seized 
with a feverish disorder, which was not, for the first 
three days, alarming, in the estimation of attending 
physicians ; yet it increased afterwards with such vio- 
lence, as to terminate his mortal existence on the 22d, 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 9 

The whole course of the Doctor's illness produced a 
most interesting scene. He calculated on death ; ex- 
pressed his perfect resignation ; gave his testimony to 
the emptiness of a world, in which its inhabitants are 
too much occupied in pursuing bubbles, which vanish 
into air ; and died in the hope of faith in that divine 
Redeemer, " who is able to save to the uttermost all who 
come unto God by Him." At the commencement of her 
husband's illness, Mrs. Graham entertained no apprehen- 
sions of danger to his life. When hope as to continuance 
of temporal life was extinguished, her anxiety for his 
spiritual and eternal welfare exercised her whole soul. 
When he breathed his last, gratitude to God, and joy at 
the testimony he had given of dying in the faith of Jesus, 
afforded a support to her mind, which the painful feel- 
ings of her heart could not immediately shake : but 
when the awful solemnities were over — earth to earth, 
dust to dust — and the spirit gone to God who gave 
it — when all was still, and she was a widow indeed — 
that tenderness of soul and sympathy of friendship, for 
which Mrs. Graham was ever remarkable, were brought 
into severe and tumultuous exercise. Her husband, com- 
panion, protector, was gone ; a man of superior mind, 
great taste, warm affection, and domestic habits. She 
was left with three daughters, the eldest of whom was not 
more than five years of age ; and with the prospect of 
having another child in a few months. Of temporal pro- 
perty, she possessed very little : she was at a distance 
from her father's house: the widow and the fatherless 
were in a foreign land. The change in her circumstances 
was as sudden as it was great. 

She had now no sympathizing heart to receive and 
return the confidence of unbounded friendship ; and 
thus, by reciprocal communion, to alleviate the trials, 

B5 



10 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

and enrich the enjoyments of life. All the pleasing 
plans, all the cherished prospects of future settlement 
in life, were cut off in a moment. While sinking into 
a softened indifference to the world, in the contemplation 
of her severe loss, she was, on the other hand, roused 
into exertion for the sustenance and support of her young 
family, whose earthly dependance was now necessarily 
upon her. 

Not satisfied with the custom of the island, in bury- 
ing soon after life is extinct, her uneasiness became 
so great, that her friends judged it prudent to have her 
husband's grave opened, to convince her that no symp- 
toms of returning life had been exhibited there. The 
fidelity of her heart was now as strongly marked as her 
tenderness. She dressed herself in the habiliments of 
a widow, and surveying herself in a mirror determined 
never to lay them aside. This she strictly adhered 
to, and rejected every overture afterwards made to 
her, of again entering into the married state. She 
breathed the feelings of her heart in a little poem, in 
which she dedicated herself to her God as a widow 
indeed. 

On examining into the state of her husband's affairs, 
she discovered that there remained not quite two hundred 
pounds sterling in his agent's hands. 

These circumstances afforded an opportunity for the 
display of the purity of Mrs. Graham's principles, and 
her rigid adherence to the commandments of her God in 
every situation. 

It was proposed to her, and urged with much argu- 
ment, to sell the two Indian girls, her late husband's 
property. 

No considerations of interest, or necessity, could 
prevail upon her to make merchandise of her fellow- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 11 

creatures, the works of her heavenly Father's hand ; im- 
mortal beings. One of these girls accompanied her to 
Scotland, where she was married ; the other died in An- 
tigua, leaving an affectionate testimony to the kindness of 
her dear master and mistress. 

The surgeon's mate of the regiment was a young man, 
whom Dr. Graham had early taken under his patronage. 
The kindness of his patron had so far favoured him with 
a medical education, that he was enabled to succeed him 
as surgeon to the regiment. 

Notwithstanding the slender finances of Mrs. Graham, 

feeling for the situation of Dr. II , she presented to 

him her husband's medical library, and his sword: a 
rare instance of disinterested regard for the welfare of 
another. 

This was an effort towards observing the second 
table of the law, in doing which, she was actuated like- 
wise by that principle which flows from keeping the 
first table also. Nor was the friendship of Dr. and Mrs. 
Graham misplaced. The seeds of gratitude were sown 

in an upright heart. Dr. H , from year to year 

manifested his sense of obligation, by remitting to the 
widow such sums of money as he could afford. This 
was a reciprocity of kind offices, equally honourable to 
the benefactor, and to him who received the benefit : 
an instance, alas! too rarely met with in a selfish 
world. 

It may here be remarked, in order to show how much 
temporal supplies are under the direction of a special 

providence, that Dr. H 's remittances and friendly 

letters were occasionally received by Mrs. Graham, 
until the year 1795 : after this period her circumstances 
were so favourably altered, as to render such aid un- 
necessary: and from that time she heard no more from 

B 6 



\% LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Dr. H , neither could she hear what became of him, 

notwithstanding her frequent inquiries. 

It may be profitable here to look at Mrs. Graham, 
contrasted with those around her whose condition in 
the world was prosperous. Many persons, then in 
Antigua, were busy and successful in the accumulation 
of wealth, to the exclusion of every thought tending 
to holiness, to God, and to heaven. The portion which 
they desired, they possessed. What then ? They are 
since gone to another world. The magic of the words, 
' My property/ ■ an independent fortune/ has been 
dispelled ; and that for which they toiled, and in which 
they gloried, has since passed into a hundred hands : 
the illusion is vanished ; and unless they made their 
peace with God through the blood of the cross, they 
left this world, and, alas! found no heaven before 
them. But amidst apparent affliction and outward 
distress, God was preparing the heart of this widow, 
by the discipline of his covenant, for future usefulness ; 
to be a blessing, probably, to thousands of her race and 
to enter, finally, on that " rest which remaineth for the 
people of God. ,, 

Her temporal support was not, in her esteem, " an 
independent fortune/ but a life of dependance on the 
care of her heavenly Father: she had more delight in 
suffering and doing his will, than in all riches. " The 
secret of the Lord is with those who fear him, and he will 
show them his covenant. " To those who walk with God, 
he will show the way in which they should go ; and 
their experience will assure them he directs their paths. 
11 Bread shall be given them, and their water shall be 
sure." She passed through many trials of a temporal 
nature, but she was comforted of her God through them 
all; and at last was put in possession of an eternal 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 13 

treasure in heaven, " where neither moth nor rust doth 
corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal." May this 
contrast be solemnly examined, and the example of this 
child of God made a blessing to many ! 

Previously to her confinement, and the birth of her 
son, Mrs. Graham " set her house in order," in the pro- 
bable expectation of her decease. She wrote a letter to 
her father in Scotland, commending her young family 
to his protection; also a letter to her friend Mrs. G— , 
giving the charge of her affairs, and, of her family, to 
her and her husband Captain G— , during their stay in 
Antigua. 

In this letter she expressed her full confidence in the 
friendship of Mrs. G — , but at the same time declared 
her solicitude about her indifference to spiritual concerns ; 
and dealt very faithfully with her conscience, as to the 
propriety and necessity of her being more engaged to 
seek the favour of God, through the mediation and atone- 
ment of the blessed Redeemer. 

It pleased God, however, to preserve her life at this 
time ; and she soon after dedicated her infant son to her 
God in baptism; giving him the name of his father, 
John. 

Having now no object to induce her to stay longer 
at Antigua, she disposed of her slender property, and, 
placing her money in the hands of Major Brown, requested 
him to. take a passage for himself and family, and to lay 
in their sea-stores. 

Mrs. Graham, after seeing a railing placed around 
the grave of her beloved husband, that his remains 
might not be disturbed until mingled with their kindred 
dust, bade adieu to her kind friends, and with a sorrowful 
heart, turned her face towards her native land. No 
ship offering for Scotland at this time, she embarked 



14 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

with her family in one bound to Belfast in Ireland. 
Major Brown and his brother officers saw her safely 
out to sea; and he gave her a letter to a gentleman 
in Belfast, containing, as he said, a bill for the balance of 
the money she had deposited with him. After a stormy 
and trying voyage, she arrived in safety at her destined 
port. The correspondent in Ireland of Major Brown 
delivered her a letter from that officer, expressive of 
esteem and affection ; and stating, that, as a proof of 
respect for the memory of their deceased friend, he and 
his brother officers had taken the liberty of defraying the 
expenses of her voyage. 

Consequently, the bill he had given was for the full 
amount of her original deposit ; and thus, like the brethren 
of Joseph, " she found all her money in the sack's 
mouth. " Being a stranger in Ireland, without a friend 
to look out for a proper vessel in which to embark for 
Scotland, she and her children went passengers in a 
packet ; on board of which, as she afterwards learned, 
there was not even a compass. A great storm arose, 
and they were tossed to and fro for nine hours in 
imminent danger. The rudder and the masts were 
carried away ; every thing on deck thrown overboard ; 
and at length the vessel struck in the night upon a 
rock, on the coast of Ayr, in Scotland. The greatest 
confusion pervaded the passengers and crew. Among 
a number of young students, going to the University 
at Edinburgh, some were swearing, some praying, and 
all were in despair. The widow only remained com- 
posed. With her babe in her arms, she hushed her 
weeping family, and told them, that, in a few minutes, 
they should all go to join their father in a better world. 
The passengers wrote their names in their pocket- 
books, that their bodies might be recognised, and 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 15 

reported for the information of their friends. One 
young man came into the cabin, asking, ' Is there 
any peace here?' He was surprised to find a female 
so tranquil : a short conversation soon evinced that 
religion was the source of comfort and hope to them 
both in this perilous hour. He prayed, and then read 
the 10? th psalm. While repeating these words, " He 
maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are 
still," the vessel swung off the rock, by the rising of the 
tide. She had been dashing against it for an hour and 
a half, the sea making a breach over her, so that the 
hold was now nearly filled with water. Towards morning 
the storm subsided, and the vessel floated until she 
rested on a sand-bank. Assistance was afforded from 
the shore ; and the shipwrecked company took shelter 
in a small inn, where the men seemed anxious to drown 
the remembrance of danger in a bowl of punch. How 
faithful a monitor is conscience ! This voice is listened 
to in extreme peril. But, oh, infatuated man, how 
anxious art thou to stifle the warnings of wisdom, in 
the hour of prosperity! Thousands of our race, no doubt, 
delay their preparation for eternity, until, visited with 
sudden death, they have scarcely a moment left for the 
performance of this solemn work. 

Mrs. Graham retired to a private room, to offer up 
thanksgiving to God for his goodness, and to commend 
herself, and her orphans, to his future care. 

A gentleman from Ayr, hearing of the shipwreck, came 
down to offer assistance ; and in him Mrs. Graham was 
happy enough to recognise an old friend. This gentleman 
paid her and her family much attention, carrying them 
to his own house, and treating them with kindness and 
hospitality. 

In a day or two after this she reached Cartside, and 



16 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

entered her father's dwelling; not the large ancient 
mansion, in which she had left him, but a thatched 
cottage, consisting of three apartments. Possessed of 
a too easy temper, and unsuspecting disposition, Mr. 
Marshall had been induced to become security for 
some of his friends, whose failure in business had 
reduced him to poverty. He now acted as factor of a 
gentleman's estate in this neighbourhood, of whose 
father he had been the intimate friend, with a salary 
of twenty pounds sterling per annum, and the use of a 
small farm. 

In a short time, however, his health failed him, and 
he was deprived of this scanty pittance, being incapable, 
as the proprietor was pleased to think, of fulfilling the 
duties of factor. 

Alive to every call of duty, Mrs. Graham now con- 
sidered her father as added, with her children, to the 
number of dependants on her industry. She proved, 
indeed, a good daughter ; faithful, affectionate, and 
dutiful, she supported her father through his declining 
years ; and he died at her house, during her residence 
in Edinburgh, surrounded by his daughter and her 
children, who tenderly watched him through his last 
illness. 

From Cartside she removed to Paisley, where she 
taught a small school. The slender profits of such an 
establishment, with a widow's pension of sixteen pounds 
sterling, where the means of subsistence for herself and 
her family. When she first returned to Cartside, a 
few religious friends called to welcome her home. 
The gay and wealthy part of her former acquaintances, 
flutterers who, like the butterfly, spread their silken 
wings only to bask in the warmth of a summer sun, 
found not their way to the lonely cottage of an afflicted 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHA3I. 17 

widow. Her worth, although, in after-life, rendered 
splendid by its own fruits, was at this time hidden, 
except to those whose reflection and wisdom had taught 
them to discern it more in the faith and submission of 
the soul, than in the selfish and extravagant exhibitions 
of the wealth bestowed by the bounty of Providence, 
but expended too often for the purposes of vanity and 
dissipation. 

In such circumstances, the Christian character of 
Mrs. Graham was strongly marked. Sensible that her 
heavenly Father saw it good, at this time, to depress 
her outward condition, full of filial tenderness, and 
like a real child of God, resigned to whatever should 
appear to be his will, her conduct conformed to his 
dispensations. With a cheerful heart, and in the hope 
of faith, she set herself to walk down into the valley of 
humiliation, " leaning upon Jesus," as the Beloved of her 
soul. " I delight to do thy will, O my God ! yea, thy law 
is within my heart," was the spontaneous effusion of her 
genuine faith. She received with affection, the scrip- 
tural admonition, " Humble yourselves, therefore, under 
the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due 
time : casting all your care upon him ; for he careth for 
you." 

She laid aside her children's fine frocks, and clothed 
them ki home-spun. At Cartside, she sold the butter 
she made, and her children were fed on the milk. It 
was her wish to eat her own bread, however coarse, 
and " to owe no person any thing but love." Ai Paisley, 
for a season, her breakfast and supper was porridge, 
and her dinner potatoes and salt. Peace with God, 
and a contented mind, supplied the lack of earthly 
prosperity ; and she adverted to this her humble fare, 
to comfort the hearts of suffering sisters, with whom 



18 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

she corresponded at a later period of life, when in com- 
fortable circumstances. 

Meantime the Lord was not unmindful of his be- 
lieving child ; but was preparing the minds of her 
friends for introducing her to a more enlarged sphere 
of usefulness. 

Her pious and attached friend, Mrs. Major Brown, 
had accompanied her husband to Scotland, and they 
now resided on their estate in Ayrshire. Mr. Peter 
Reid, a kind friend when in Antigua, was now a 
merchant in London. This gentleman advised her to 
invest the little money she had brought home, (and 
which she had still preserved,) in muslins, which she 
could work into finer articles of dress ; and he would 
ship them in a vessel of his own, freight free, to be 
sold in the West Indies. His object was partly to 
increase her little capital, and partly to divert her mind 
from meditating so deeply on the loss of her lamented 
husband ; for she shed so many tears, while at Cartside, 
as to injure her eye-sight, and to render the use of 
spectacles necessary. The plan so kindly proposed, was 
soon adopted ; and the muslin dresses were, accordingly, 
shipped: but she soon afterwards learned that the 
ship was captured by the French. This was a severe 
blow to her temporal property, and more deeply felt, as 
it was received at the time when her father was deprived 
of his office. 

Mrs. Brown, after consulting with the Rev. Mr. Ran- 
dall of Glasgow ; the Rev. Mr. Ellis, of Paisley ; Lady 
Glenorchy and Mrs. Walker, of Edinburgh ; proposed to 
Mrs. Graham to take charge of a boarding school in the 
metropolis. 

The friends of religion were of opinion, that such an 
establishment, under the direction of such a character 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 19 

as Mrs. Graham, would be of singular benefit to young 
ladies, destined for important stations in society. Her 
liberal education, her acquaintance with life, and her 
humble yet ardent piety, were considered peculiarly cal- 
culated to qualify her for so important a trust. 

Another friend had suggested to Mrs. Graham the 
propriety of opening a boarding-house in Edinburgh, 
which he thought could, through his influence, be easily 
filled by students. 

She saw obstacles to both ; a boarding-house did not 
appear suitable, as her daughters would not be so likely 
to have the same advantages of education as in a board- 
ing-school. To engage as an instructress of youth on so 
large a scale, with so many competitors, appeared, for 
her, an arduous undertaking. 

In this perplexity, as in former trials, she fled to her 
unerring Counsellor, the Lord, her covenant God. She 
set apart a day for fasting and prayer. She spread 
her case before the Lord, earnestly beseeching him 
to make his word " a light to her feet, and a lamp to 
her path ; and to lead her in the way she should go f* 
especially, that she might be directed to choose the path 
in which she could best promote his glory, and the 
highest interests of herself and her children. On search- 
ing the Scriptures, her mind was fastened on thes« 
words, in John, xxi. 15., " Simon, son of Jonas, lovest 
thou me more than these ? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord ; 
thou knowest that I love thee. He said unto him, Feed 
my lambs. " 

Never, perhaps, was this commandment applied with 
more energy, nor accompanied with a richer blessing, 
since the days of the Apostle, than in the present 
instance. 

Her determination was accordingly made. She resolved 



20 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

to undertake the education of youth, trusting that her 
Lord would make her an humble instrument to feed 
his lambs. Here was exhibited an instance of simple, 
yet powerful, faith in a believer, surrounded by temporal 
perplexities ; and of condescension and mercy on the 
part of a compassionate God. Light, unseen by mortal 
eyes, descended on her path. 

How weak, perhaps enthusiastic, would this have 
appeared to the busy crowd, blind to the special provi- 
dence exercised by the God of heaven towards all his 
creatures ! 

When the assembled universe shall, at the great day 
of judgment, be called around the throne of the Judge of 
the whole earth, such conduct will then appear to have 
been wise, judicious, and efficient: but to the eye of 
carnal reason, absorbed in the devices and calculations 
of worldly wisdom, it now appears delusive and unavail- 
ing. There are some passages in Miss Hannah More's 
Practical Piety, on the sufferings of good men, peculiarly 
applicable to the faith, exercises, and conduct of Mrs. 
Graham, at this season of difficulty and deprivation. 
She felt the pressure of her affliction ; but, like the 
Psalmist, " she gave herself unto prayer," realizing, in a 
measure, the poet's description : 

1 Prayer ardent opens heaven, lets down a stream 
Of glory on the consecrated hour 
Of man in audience with the Deity.' 

Although her faith was strong, yet her mind was 
under such agitation from her total want of funds to 
carry her plan into effect, and from other conflicting 
exercises, as to throw her into a nervous fever, which 
kept her confined to her bed for some weeks. On her 
recovery, she felt it her duty to go forward, trusting 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 21 

that He who had directed her path, would provide the 
means that were necessary to enable her to walk in it : 
she sold her heavy furniture, packed up all her re- 
maining effects, and prepared to set out from Paisley 
for Edinburgh, on a Monday, some time in the year 
17S0. 

On the previous Saturday, she sat by her fire musing 
and wondering in what manner the Lord would appear 
for her at this time ; when a letter was brought to her 
from Mr. Peter Reid, enclosing a sum of money which 
he had recovered from the underwriters, on account of 
Mrs. Graham's muslins, captured on their passage to the 
West Indies. Mrs. Graham had considered them as 
totally lost, but her friend had taken the precaution to 
have them insured. 

With this supply, she was enabled to accomplish her 
object, and arrived in Edinburgh with her family. Her 
friend, Mrs. Brown, met her there, and stayed with her 
a few days, to comfort and patronise her in her new 
undertaking. Mrs. Brown was her warm and constant 
friend until her death, which happened in Paisley, in 
1782, when she was attending the communion. She 
bequeathed her daughter, Mary, to Mrs. Graham's care. 
But, in 1785, the daughter followed the mother ; being 
cut off by a fever, in the twelfth year of her age. 

It may be proper here to introduce the name of Mr. 
George Anderson, a merchant in Glasgow, who had been 
an early and particular friend of Dr. Graham. He kindly 
offered his friendly services, and the use of his purse, to 
promote the welfare of the bereaved family of his friend. 

Mrs. Graham occasionally drew upon both. The 
money she borrowed she had the satisfaction of repaying 
with interest. 

A correspondence was carried on between them after 



22 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Mrs. Graham's removal to America, until the death of 
Mr. Anderson in 1802. Such was the acknowledged 
integrity of this gentleman, that he was very generally 
known in Glasgow by the appellation of " honest George 
Anderson." 

During her residence in Edinburgh, she was honoured 
with the friendship and counsel of many persons of dis- 
tinction and piety. The Viscountess Glenorchy ; Lady 
Ross Baillie ; Lady Jane Belches ; Mrs. Walter Scott, 
(mother of the poet) ; Mrs. Dr. Davidson ; and Mrs. 
Baillie Walker, were among her warm personal friends. 
The Rev. Dr. Erskine, the Rev. Dr. Davidson, (formerly 
the Rev. Mr. Randall,) and many other respectable 
clergymen, were also her friends. She and her family 
attended on the ministry of Dr. Davidson, an able, evan- 
gelical, useful pastor. 

Her school soon became considerable in numbers and 
character. Her early and superior education now proved 
of essential service to her. She was indefatigable in her 
attention to the instruction of her pupils. While she 
was faithful in giving them those accomplishments which 
were to qualify them for acting a distinguished part 
in this world, she was also zealous in directing their 
attention to that Gospel, by which they were instructed 
to obtain an inheritance in the eternal world. She 
felt a high responsibility, and took a deep interest in 
4heir temporal and spiritual welfare. As " a mother in 
Israel," she wished to train them up in the ways of the 
Lord. 

She prayed with them morning and evening, and on 
the Sabbath, (which she was careful to devote to its 
proper use,) she took great pains to imbue their minds 
with the truths of religion. Nor did she labour in vain. 
Although she was often heard to lament that her life 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 23 

was unprofitable, compared with her opportunities of 

doing good; yet, when her children, Mr. and Mrs. B , 

visited Scotland in 1801, they heard of many characters, 
then pious and exemplary, who dated their first religious 
impressions from those seasons of early instruction 
which they enjoyed under Mrs. Graham, while in 
Edinburgh. 

Mrs. Graham's manner, in the management of youth, 
was peculiarly happy. While she kept them diligent 
in their studies, and strictly obedient to the laws she 
had established, she was endeared to them by her 
tenderness ; and the young ladies, instructed in her 
school, retained for her, in after-life, a degree of filial 
affection, which was expressed on many affecting occa- 
sions. This was afterwards remarkably the case with her 
pupils in America. Her little republic was completely 
governed by a system of equitable laws. On every 
alleged offence, a court-martial, as they termed it, was 
held, and the accused tried by her peers. There were 
no arbitrary punishments, no sallies of capricious pas- 
sion. The laws were promulgated, and obedience was 
indispensable. The sentences of the courts-martial were 
always approved, and had a salutary effect. In short, 
there was a combination of authority, decision, and 
tenderness, in Mrs .Graham's government, that rendered 
its subjects industrious, intelligent, circumspect, and 
happy. She enjoyed their happiness ; and, in cases of 
sickness, she watched her patients with unremitting 
solicitude and care, sparing no expense to promote their 
restoration to health. 

A strong trait in her character was distinctly marked, 
by her practice of educating the daughters of pious 
ministers at half price. This was setting an example 
worthy of imitation. It was a conduct conformable to 



24 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

scriptural precept. " If," said the apostle Paul, " we 
have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if 
we shall reap your carnal things ? Do ye not know that 
they which minister about holy things, live of the things 
of the temple ? Even so hath the Lord ordained that 
they which preach the gospel, should live by the gospel. '' 

Always conscientious in obeying the commandments 
of her God, she observed them in this matter, giving, in 
her proportion at least, the widow's mite. 

By another plan (for she was ingenious in contriv- 
ances to do good) she greatly assisted those in slender 
circumstances, especially such as were of the household 
of faith. Believing that the use of sums of ten, fifteen, 
or twenty pounds in hand, would be serviceable, by 
way of capital, to persons in a moderate business, she 
was in the habit of making such advances, and taking 
back the value in articles which they had for sale. 
She charged no interest, being amply repaid in the 
luxury of her own feelings, when she beheld the benefit 
it produced to her humble friends. The board of her 
pupils being paid in advance, she was enabled to adopt 
this plan with more facility. Were her spirit more 
prevalent in the world, what good might be done ! The 
heart would be expanded, reciprocal confidence and 
affection cherished; and, instead of beholding worms 
of the dust fighting for particles of yellow sand, we 
should behold a company of affectionate brethren, leaning 
upon, and assisting each other through the wilderness of 
this world. " Look not every man on his own things," 
said Paul, " but every man also on the things of others. 
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of 
Christ." 

On the subject of promoting the external accom- 
plishments of her scholars, it became a question of im- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 25 

portance, how far Mrs. Graham was to countenance them 
in their attendance on public balls — to what length 
it was proper for her to go, so as to meet the received 
opinions of the world in these concerns. She consulted 
with her pious friends, and wrote ta Lady Glenorchy 
on the subject. Her ladyship's letter in reply is so 
excellent, that it is given at full length with Mrs. 
Graham's letters; and will, consequently, be found 
in this publication. In after-life, Mrs. Graham was of 
opinion, that she and her scholars had gone too far in 
conformity with the opinions and manners of the world. 
A reference to this deviation from what she considered 
a close Christian walk in life, will be frequently found 
in her subsequent exercises : the tenderness of her own 
conscience, however, often made her speak of her 
departure from a strictly religious course, with more 
severity than it really deserved, considering the delicacy 
of her situation, as an instructress of children whose 
parents, probably, were averse from restraining their 
children so much, in the style of their education, as 
might have suited Mrs. Graham's views of a Christian's 
circumspection, and abstraction from worldly amusements 
and pursuits. 

Lady Glenorchy, being in a delicate state of health, 
made frequent use of Mrs. Graham as her almoner to 
the poor. On one of these visits, Mrs. Graham called 
on a poor woman, with a present of a new gown. * I 
am obliged to you and her ladyship for your kindness,' 
said the poor woman, rich in faith ; ' but I maun gang 
to the right airth first, ye wad na hae come, gin ye had 
na been sent ; the Lord hath left me lately wi but ae 
goon for week day and Sabbath, but now he has sent 
you wi a Sabbath-day's goon : meaning, in plain English, 
that her thankfulness was first due to the God of pro- 

c 



26 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

vidence, who had put it into the hearts of his children to 
supply the wants of this poor disciple. 

Mrs. Graham used to repeat, with pleasure, an anec- 
dote of her friends, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas. Mr. Douglas 
was a tallow-chandler, and furnished candles for Lady 
Glenorchy's chapel. The excise tax was very high on 
those articles ; and many persons of the trade w T ere 
accustomed to defraud the revenue by one stratagem 
or another. Religious principle would not permit Mr. 
Douglas to do so. Mrs. Graham, one evening, was 
remarking how handsomely the chapel was lighted. 
4 Ay, Mrs. Graham/ said Mrs. Douglas, and it is all 
pure — the light is all pure, it burns bright/ It would 
be well if Christians of every trade and profession were 
to act in like manner ; that the merchant should have 
no hand in unlawfully secreting property, or in encou- 
raging perjury to accumulate gains ; that the man of 
great wealth should have neither usury, nor the shed- 
ding of blood by privateering, to corrode his treasures ; 
that all should observe a just weight and a just mea- 
sure in their dealings, as in the presence of God. Let 
every Christian seek after the consolation of Mrs. 
Douglas, that the light which refreshes him may be 
pure. 

It being stated as matter of regret, that poor people, 
when sick, suffered greatly, although while in health 
their daily labour supported them, Mrs. Graham sug- 
gested the idea of every poor person in the neighbour- 
hood laying aside one penny a week, to form a fund 
for relieving the contributors when in sickness. Mr. 
Douglas undertook the formation of such an institu- 
tion. It went for a long time under the name of 
* The Penny Society.' It afterwards received a more 
liberal patronage, has now a handsome capital, and is 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 27 

called ' The Society for the Relief of the Destitute 
Sick.' 

In July 1786, Mrs. Graham attended the dying bed 
of her friend and patroness, Lady Glenorchy : this lady 
had shown her friendship, in a variety of ways, during 
her valuable life : she had one of Mrs. Graham's daughters 
for some time in her family ; condescended herself to 
instruct her, and sent her for a year to a French boarding 
school in Rotterdam ; she defrayed all her expenses 
while there, and furnished her with a liberal supply of 
pocket-money, that she might not see distress without 
the power of relieving it. So much does a person's con- 
duct in maturer years depend upon the habits of early 
life, that it is wise to accustom young people to feel for, 
and contribute, in their degree, to the relief of the 
afflicted and the needy. 

Lady Glenorchy was a person in whom was eminently 
displayed the power of religion. Descended from an 
ancient family, married to the eldest son of the Earl of 
Breadalbane, beautiful and accomplished, she was re- 
ceived into the first circles of society. With her husband 
she made the tour of Europe, visiting the several courts 
on that continent. Yet all these things she " counted 
but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ 
Jesus her Lord." She became a widow while yet in the 
bloom of youth. She devoted herself to the service of the 
Lord, and was made singularly useful. She kept a re- 
gular account of her income, and of the different objects 
to which it was applied. She built and supported several 
chapels in England ; and erected one in Edinburgh, in 
which pious ministers of different denominations should 
be admitted to preach. 

She also built a manufactory for the employment of 
the poor, where the education of children was strictly 

C 2 



28 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

attended to : even the porter's lodges on each side of 
her gate were occupied as schools for the neighbouring 
poor. Her pleasure grounds were thrown open for the 
accommodation of the numbers who usually come from 
a distance, to attend a communion season in Scotland. 
In a year of scarcity, the same grounds were planted 
with potatoes for the supply of the poor. She dis- 
tributed with great judgment various sums of money 
in aid of families who were poor, yet deserving. She 
never encouraged idleness or pride, and often remarked, 
that it was better to assist people to do well in the 
sphere which Providence had assigned them, than to 
attempt to raise them beyond it. There was so much 
wisdom in the active application of her charities, as to 
render them both efficient and extensive. She seldom 
w as seen in these works of beneficence ; her object was 
to do good : the gratitude of those on whom she be- 
stowed benefits, was no part of her motive, or even of 
her calculation. What she did, she did unto God, and 
in obedience to his commands : her faith and hope were 
in God. 

She contributed largely to the public- spirited insti- 
tutions established at Edinburgh in her day. One or 
two of the most useful she was the first to suggest the 
idea of, always accompanying her recommendation with 
a handsome donation, in money, to encourage the 
work. 

The venerable Society for the Promotion of Christian 
Knowledge and Piety, shared largely her patronage ; 
and, at her death, she bequeathed them five thousand 
pounds. 

She indulged the hope of seeing a union of exertion 
among all Christian denominations, for sending the 
Gospel to the heathen. How delighted would she have 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM, 29 

been with the Missionary Societies of London and else- 
where, had her life been spared to behold their extensive 
operations ! 

She sold her estate of Barnton, that she might apply 
the money to a more disinterested object than her per- 
sonal accommodation, and that her fortune might be 
expended with her life. ' I recollect here/ said Saurin, 
in one of his sermons, ' an epitaph said to be engraven 
on the tomb of Atolus of Rheims ; " He exported his 
fortune before him into heaven by his charities — he is 
gone thither to enjoy it." ' 

This might be truly said of Lady Glenorchy. In her 
manners she discovered great dignity of character, tem- 
pered with the meekness and benevolence of the Gospel. 
Her family was arranged with much economy, and a 
strict regard to moral and religious habits. She usually 
supported some promising and pious young minister as 
her chaplain, which served him as an introduction to 
respectability in the church. With very few exceptions, 
all those who entered her family as servants, were, in 
process of time, brought under religious impressions. So 
far it pleased the Lord to honour her pious endeavours to 
render her family one of the dwellings of the God of 
Jacob. 

She carried on an extensive correspondence with the 
agents of her charities in various places, as well as with 
persons in the highest walks of life. The late celebrated 
William Pitt, whom she had known when a boy, was 
pleased with her letters ; and replied in the most respect- 
ful terms to the counsel which she at times had given 
him, on the higher concerns of his spiritual and eternal 
welfare. 

It is much to be desired, that some suitable biogra- 
phical account of this valuable lady should be prepared 

C 3 



30 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

for the benefit of the public, and the gratification of her 
numerous friends. 

Mrs. Graham had the honour of attending the death- 
bed, and of closing the eyes, of this eminent Christian. 
It had been Lady Glenorchy's express desire, that Mrs. 
Graham should be sent for to attend her dying bed, if 
within twenty miles of her, when such attendance should 
be necessary. 

When Dr. Witherspoon visited Scotland, in the year 
1785, he had frequent conversations with Mrs. Graham, 
on the subject of her removal to America. She gave him 
at this time some reason to calculate on her going thither, 
as soon as her children should have completed the course 
of education she had proposed for them. 

Mrs. Graham had entertained a strong partiality for 
America ever since her former residence there, and had 
indulged a secret expectation of returning thither. 

It was her opinion, and that of many pious people, that 
America was the country where the church of Christ 
woidd eventually flourish. She was, therefore, desirous 
to leave her offspring there. 

After some correspondence with Dr. Witherspoon, 
and consultation with pious friends, her plan received 
the approbation of the latter. She had an invitation 
from many respectable persons in the city of New- York, 
with assurances of patronage and support. She arranged 
her affairs for quitting Edinburgh. The Algerines being 
then at war with the United States, her friends insisted 
on her chartering a small British vessel, to carry her- 
self and family to the port of New- York. This increased 
her expenses ; but Providence, in faithfulness and 
mercy, sent her at this time a remittance from Dr. 
Henderson : and a legacy of two hundred pounds be- 
queathed her by Lady Glenorchy, as a mark of her 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 31 

regard, was of great use to her in her present circum- 
stances. 

Thus, in the month of July, 1789, Mrs. Graham once 
more prepared to u go to a land which the Lord seemed to 
teil her of ;" and after a pleasant, though tedious, voyage, 
she landed in New- York on the 8 th day of September. 

At New -York, she and her family were received with 
the greatest cordiality and confidence. The late Rev. 
Dr. Rodgers, and the Rev. Dr. Mason, were especially 
kind to her. She became eminently prepared to instruct 
her pupils in all the higher branches of female education : 
the favourable change effected by her exertions in this 
respect, was soon visible in the minds, manners, and 
accomplishments of the young ladies committed to her 
care. She opened her school on the 5th of October, 
1789, with five scholars ; and before the end of the same 
month, the number increased to fifty. She not only 
imparted knowledge to her pupils, but also, by her con- 
versation and example, prepared their minds to receive it 
in such a manner as to apply it to practical advantage. 
While she taught them to regard external accomplish- 
ments as ornaments to the female character, she was 
careful to recommend the practice of virtue, as the 
highest accomplishment of all ; and to inculcate the 
principles of religion, as the only solid foundation for 
morality and virtue. The annual examinations of her 
scholars were always well attended, and gave great satis- 
faction. General Washington, while at New-York, 
honoured her with his patronage. The venerable and 
amiable Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the State of 
New- York, then the Rev. Br. Benjamin Moore, never 
once was absent from those examinations. She was 
sensible of his friendship, and always spoke of him in 
terms of great esteem and respect. 

£ 4 



32 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

She united in communion with the Presbyterian 
Church, under the pastoral care of the late Rev. Dr. 
John Mason. This excellent man was her faithful friend, 
and wise counsellor. Under his ministry, her two daugh- 
ters Joanna and Isabella, joined the church in the year 
1791. Her eldest daughter, Jessie, who had made a 
profession of religion in Scotland, was married in July, 
1790, to Mr. Hay Stevenson, merchant of New-York; 
and she became a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
under the care of Dr. Rodgers, where her husband 
attended. 

In the year 1791, her son, who had been left in 
Scotland to complete his education, paid his mother a 
visit. Mrs. Graham, considering herself as inadequate 
to the proper management of a boy, had, at an early 
period of his life, sent her son to the care of a friend, who 
had promised to pay due attention to his morals and 
education. The boy had a warm affectionate heart, but 
possessed, at the same time, a bold and fearless spirit. 
Such a disposition, under proper management, might 
have been formed into a noble character ; but he was 
neglected, and left in a great measure to himself, by his 
first preceptor. 

For two years of his life he was under the care of 
Mr. Murray, teacher of an academy at Abercorn. He 
was a man truly qualified for this station. He instructed 
his pupils with zeal ; led even their amusements ; and 
to an exemplary piety, added the faithful counsel of a 
friend. He loved, and was therefore beloved. Under 
his superintendence, John Graham improved rapidly, 
and gained the affections of his teacher and com- 
panions. Happy for him, had he continued in such a 
suitable situation. He was removed to Edinburgh, to 
receive a more classical education. Being left there 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. S3 

by his mother and sisters, the impetuosity of his tem- 
per and a propensity for a sea-faring life, induced his 
friends to place him as an apprentice in the merchant 
service. He was shipwrecked on the coast of Holland ; 
and Mr. Gibson, of Rotterdam, a friend of Mrs. Graham, 
took him to his house, and enabled him to come to 
the United States. He remained at New- York for some 
months. His mother deemed it his duty to return to 
Scotland, to complete his time of service. His inclina- 
tion tended evidently to the profession of a sailor : she 
therefore, fitted him out handsomely ; and he embarked 
for Greenock in the same ship with Mr. John Mitchell 
Mason, the only son of the late Dr. Mason, who went 
to attend the theological lectures at the Divinity Hall^ 
in Edinburgh. 

Mrs. Graham's exercises of mind, on parting with her 
son, were deep and affecting. She cast him upon the 
covenant mercy of her God, placing a blank, as to tem- 
poral things in her Lord's hand, but cleaving with a 
fervent faith and hope to the promise of spiritual life. 
" Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them 
-alive ; and let thy widows trust in me." 

Three months afterwards, she learned that a press- 
gang had boarded the ship in which her son had been ; 
and, although he was saved from their grasp by a 
stratagem of the passengers, yet all his clothes were 
taken away from him. Reflecting on this event, she 
says, ' Shall I withdraw the blank I have put into the 
Redeemer's hands ? Has he not hitherto done all 
things well? Have not my own afflictions been my 
greatest blessings ? Lord, I renew my blank.' After 
undergoing many sufferings, this young man wrote to 
his mother from Demerara, in the year 1794, that he 
had been made a prisoner ; had been retaken ; and then 

C 5 



34 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

intended to go to Europe with a fleet, which was soon 
to sail under convoy. His letter was couched in terms 
of salutary reflection on his past life ; and a hope of 
profiting by past experience. This was the last account 
which Mrs. Graham had of her afflicted son. All in- 
quiries instituted respecting him proved fruitless, and 
she had to exercise faith and submission, not without 
hope towards God, that the great Redeemer had taken 
care of, and would finally save, this prodigal son. She 
had known a case in her father's family, which excited 
their solicitude, and encouraged her hope. Her younger 
brother, Archibald Marshall, a lad of high temper, 
though possessed of an affectionate heart, had gone to 
sea, and was not heard of at all for several years. A 
pious woman who kept a boarding-house at Paisley, 
found one of her boarders one day reading Dod- 
dridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul of 
Man, with Archibald Marshall's name written on the 
blank leaf. On inquiry, the stranger told her he got 
that book from a young man on his death-bed, as a 
token of regard, That young man was i\rchibald 
Marshall — he was an exemplary christian: 'and I 
have reason/ added he, c to bless God that he ever 
was my mess-mate.' The woman, who heard this ac- 
count, transmitted it to Mr. Marshall's family, who 
were known to her. Mrs. Graham had no such con- 
solatory account afforded to her ; but under much yearn- 
ing of heart, she left this concern as well as every 
other, to the disposal of that God "who doeth all things 
well." 

In the spring of 1792, she and her family were called 
to a severe trial, by the translation of their beloved 
pastor, Doctor Mason, to a better world. A few months 
before his decease, while preaching to his people, his 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 3P 

recollection failed him, his sermon was gone from his 
mind, and he sat down in his pulpit unable to proceed. 
After a short pause, he arose, and addressed his people 
in a pious and affectionate strain ; he considered this 
event as a call from his heavenly Master to expect a 
speedy dismission from the tabernacle of clay; and 
solemnly admonished them also to be prepared for the 
will of God. His people, who loved him, were affected 
to tears. An illness soon followed, which terminated in 
the death of the body. He departed on the night when 
Mrs. Graham took her turn of watching with him. He 
breathed his last while she was performing this friendly 
office. This she always accounted a privilege and 
honour bestowed upon her by her divine Master. 
Grreat was the grief of Doctor Mason's congregation, 
on his loss. In him, to great learning were united 
meekness, prudence, diligence, a knowledge of the 
world, and an affectionate superintendence of the in- 
terests, spiritual and temporal, of his flock. He so 
arranged his avocations and studies, in regard to time, 
that he had always a few hours in the afternoon to 
<levote to visiting the families of his congregation. So 
regular was the order he observed in his arrangement 
of time, that Mrs. Graham and her family knew when 
to calculate on seeing him, and always expected him 
with the anticipation of profit and pleasure. Once every 
week they were sure of seeing him, if in health. His 
visits were short, his conversation serious, awakening, 
instructive, and affectionate. He inquired about their 
temporal affairs, and, in cases of difficulty, he always 
gave them his best advice. His counsels were salutary ; 
his knowledge of the world, and his discrimination of 
characters, rendered him well qualified to advise. In 
one of his visits to Mrs. Graham, she mentioned to 

c 6 



36 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

him the want of good servants as one of her great trials, 
' Mrs. Graham/ said he, ' have you ever prayed to the 
Lord to provide good servants for you ? Nothing which 
interests our comfort is too minute for the care of our 
heavenly Father.' 

To one of her daughters, who felt a strong inclination 
to profess her faith in Christ by joining the communion 
of his church, but yet was afraid that her heart was not 
sufficiently engaged for the service of God, Doctor 
Mason proposed the following question : — 4 If,' said he, 
4 the world with all its wealth, pleasures and power, 
w r ere placed in one scale, and Christ alone in the other, 
which would your heart freely choose as a portion V On 
her replying there would be no hesitation as to her 
choice of Christ, he gave her encouragement to profess 
her faith, although it might not at present amount to the 
full assurance of hope. 

He was, indeed, a faithful shepherd of his flock ; and 
his people mourned for him as for an affectionate father. 
It is much to be desired that his example were more 
followed by Christian pastors. To preach with eloquence 
and acceptance, is a talent of great value in a minister 
of the Gospel ; this makes him respected ; and his con- 
gregation admire him, because, for one reason, they are 
proud of him : but, to gain their affections, to make a 
congregation the children of an aged pastor, or the 
friends and brethren of a younger one, let the minister 
visit the families of his people ; this will seal on their 
hearts the regard which their understandings had already 
dictated. 

Very few ministers have been more remarkable for a 
strict attention to this duty, than the late Doctor John 
Mason ; and his venerable and attached friend, the late 
Doctor John Rodgers. When the former died, the latter 



MBS. ISABELLA GRAHA3I. 37 

exclaimed, ' I feel as if I had lost a right arm !' They 
who once laboured together to promote the cause of the 
Redeemer on earth, are now singing his praises before the 
throne of the Eternal. 

The congregation, bereaved of their pastor, wrote imme- 
diately to his son, Mr. John Mitchell Mason, to hasten 
his return from Edinburgh to New -York. 

xifter preaching to them with great acceptance for 
several months, he was ordained as pastor of the church, 
in April, 1792. 

Mrs. Graham entertained for him the most affectionate 
attachment ; and this attachment was reciprocal. 

Thus it pleased God to repair the breach he had made, 
and to build up this church by the instrumentality of the 
son, when he had removed the father to that u rest which 
remaineth for the people of God. ;> 

In July, 1795, Mrs. Graham's second daughter, Joanna, 
was married to Mr. Divie Bethune, merchant in New- 
York. In the following month, her eldest daughter, 
Mrs. Stevenson, was seized with a fatal illness. Possess- 
ing a most amiable disposition and genuine piety, she 
viewed the approach of death with the composure of a 
Christian, and the intrepidity of faith. 

She had been in delicate health for some years before, 
and now a complication of disorders denied all hope 
of recovery. She sung a hymn of triumph, until the 
struggles of death interrupted her. Mrs. Graham dis- 
played great firmness of mind during the last trying- 
scene : and when the spirit of her daughter fled, the 
mother raised her hands, and looking towards heaven 
exclaimed, ■ I wish you joy, my darling/ She then 
washed her face, took some refreshment, and retired 
to rest. 

Such was her joy of faith at the full salvation of her 



38 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

child: but when the loss of her company was felt, the 
tenderness of a mother's heart afterwards gave vent to 
feelings of affectionate sorrow ; nature will feel, even 
when faith triumphs. 

Mrs. Graham made it a rule to appropriate a tentli 
part of her earnings, to be expended for pious and cha- 
ritable purposes ; she had taken a lease of two lots of 
ground, in Greenwich -street, from the Corporation of 
Trinity Church, with a view of building a house on 
them for her own accommodation : the building, how- 
ever, she never commenced. By a sale which her son, 
Mr. Bethune, made of the lease in 1795, for her, she 
got an advance of one thousand pounds. So large a 
profit was new to her. ' Quick, quick, 5 said she, ' let 
me appropriate the tenth before my heart grows hard.' 
What fidelity in duty! What distrust of herself! Fifty 
pounds of this money she sent to Mr. Mason, in aid of the 
funds he was collecting for the establishment of a Theo- 
logical Seminary. 

In the year 1797, a society was instituted at New- 
York, for the relief of poor widows with small children ; a 
society which arose into great respectability, and has 
been productive of very beneficent effects. The Lord, in 
his merciful providence, prepared this institution, to 
grant relief to the many bereaved families who were 
left widows and orphans by the ravages of the yellow- 
fever in the year 179 S. 

It took its rise from an apparently adventitious circum- 
stance. Mr. B — , in the year 1796, was one of the 
distributing managers of the St. Andrew's Society. The 
distribution of this charity was, of course, limited to 
a certain description of applicants. Mr. B — , interested 
for widows not entitled to share in the bounty of the 
St. Andrew's Society, frequently collected small sums 



MilS. ISABELLA GRAHAM, 39 

for their . relief. He consulted with a few friends, on 
the propriety of establishing a Female Society, for the 
relief of poor widows with small children, without limita- 
tion. Invitations, in the form of circular letters, were 
sent to the ladies of New-York, and a very respectable 
number assembled at the house of Mrs. Graham. The 
proposed plan was approved, and a Society organized. 
Mrs. Graham was elected first Directress, which office 
she held for ten vears. 

At the semi-annual meeting in March, 1798, Mrs. 
Graham made a very pleasing report of the proceedings 
of the Managers, and of the amount of relief afforded 
to the poor. The ladies of New- York rendered themselves 
truly deserving of applause, for their zeal in this benevo- 
lent undertaking. 

In the month of September, 179S, Mrs. Graham's 
daughter Isabella, was married to Mr. Andrew Smith, 
merchant of New-York, now of Richmond, Virginia. Her 
family being thus settled to her satisfaction, she was 
prevailed upon to retire from business, and to live with 
her children. 

Miss Farquharson, her assistant, to whom she was 
much attached, declined to succeed her, choosing 
rather to enjoy the society of her patroness and friend. 
She was a young lady of genuine piety and worth. 
The Lord had designed h^r for another important sta- 
tion. She is now Mrs. Loveless, of Madras, the help- 
meet of the London Society's excellent Missionary 
there. Mrs. Graham maintained a correspondence with 
Mrs. Loveless, and always regarded her with much 
affection. 

During the prevalence of the yellow fever in 179s, 
it was with much difficulty that Mrs. Graham was dis- 
suaded from going into the city, to attend on the sick ; 



40 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

the fear of involving her children in the same calamity, 
in the event of her being attacked by the fever, was 
the chief reason of her acquiescing in their wish to 
prevent so hazardous an undertaking. During the sub- 
sequent winter, she was indefatigable in her attentions 
to the poor : she exerted herself to procure work for 
her widows, and occupied much of her time in cutting 
it out, and preparing it for them. The Managers of 
the Widows' Society had each a separate district ; and 
Mrs. Graham, as first Directress, had a general super- 
intendence of the whole. She was so happy in the 
execution of her trust, as to acquire the respect and 
confidence of the ladies who acted with her, as well as 
the affections of the poor. 

Her whole time was now at her command, and she 
devoted it very faithfully to promote the benevolent object 
of the Institution over which she presided. The extent 
of her exertions, however, became known, not from the 
information given by herself, but from the observations of 
her fellow-labourers, and especially from the testimony of 
the poor themselves. 

In the summer of 1800 she paid a visit to her 
friends in Boston. When she had been absent for some 
weeks, her daughter, Mrs. B — , was surprised at the 
frequent inquiries made after her, by persons with whom 
she was unacquainted : at length she asked some of 
those inquirers, what they knew about Mrs. Graham f 
They replied, 4 We live in the suburbs of the city, 
where she used to visit, relieve, and comfort, the poor. 
We had missed her so long, that we were afraid she 
had been sick : when she walked in our streets, it was 
customary with us to come to the door, and bless her as 
she passed/ 

Until January, 1803, she lived alternately with her 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 41 

children, Mrs. Bethune, and Mrs. Smith : at this period, 
Mr. Smith having removed from New- York, Mrs. Gra- 
ham resided with Mr. and Mrs. Bethune, until her 
departure to a better world. They loved her not only 
from natural affection, but for her superior worth : 
they valued her, for they believed that many blessings 
were vouchsafed to them and their family in answer to 
her prayers. 

The Society for the relief of poor widows with small 
children, having received a charter of incorporation, 
and some pecuniary aid from the Legislature of the 
State, the ladies who constituted the Board of Direc- 
tion, were engaged in plans for extending their useful- 
ness ; Mrs. Graham took an active part in executing 
these plans. The Society purchased a small house, 
where they received work of various kinds, for the em- 
ployment of their widows. They opened a school for 
the instruction of their orphans, and many of Mrs. 
Graham's former pupils volunteered their services, taking 
upon themselves, by rotation, the part of instructors. 
Besides establishing this school, Mrs, Graham selected 
some of the widows, best qualified for the task, and 
engaged them, for a small compensation, to open day 
schools for the instruction of the children of widows, 
in distant parts of the city ; she also established two 
Sabbath schools, one of which she superintended her- 
self, and the other she placed under the care of her 
daughter. Wherever she met with Christians sick and 
in poverty, she visited and comforted them ; and, in some 
instances, opened small subscription lists to provide for 
their support. 

She attended occasionally, for some years, at the 
Alms House, for the instruction of the children there 
in religious knowledge: in this work she was much 



42 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

assisted by a humble and pious female friend, who was 
seldom absent from it on the Lord's day. In short, 
her whole time was occupied in searching out the dis- 
tresses of the poor, and devising measures to comfort 
and establish them to the extent of her influence and 
means. At the same time, far from arrogating any 
merit to herself, she seemed always to feel how much 
she was deficient in following fully the precepts and the 
footsteps of her beloved Lord and Saviour, u who went 
about doing good." 

It was often her custom to leave home after break- 
fast, (taking with her a few rolls of bread,) and return 
in the evening about eight o'clock. Her only dinner 
on such days was her bread, and perhaps some soup at 
the Soup House, established by the Humane Society 
for the poor, over which one of her widows had been, 
at her recommendation, appointed. She and her ve- 
nerable companion, Mrs. Sarah Hoffman, second Direc- 
tress of the Widows' Society, travelled many a day and 
many a step together in the walks of charity. Mrs. 
Graham was a Presbyterian, Mrs. Hoffman an Episco- 
palian. Those barriers, of which such an unhappy use 
has been made by sectaries to separate the children 
of God, fell down between these two friends at the cry 
of affliction, and were consumed on the altar of 
Christian love. Arm in arm, and heart to heart, they 
visited the abodes of distress, dispensing temporal aid 
from the purse of charity, and spiritual comfort from 
the word of life. One has already entered into rest; 
the other must shortly follow. Amidst many comforts, 
and many afflictions, the life of Mrs. Hoffman has been 
a life of faith and resignation : her end will be peace ; 
and then she will join her beloved and attached friend, 
in singing the praises of that Divine Redeemer whose 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 43 

footsteps on earth they humbly endeavoured in his 
strength to follow. " Blessed are the dead which die in 
the Lord ; yea, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their 
labours, and their works do follow them." 

At each annual meeting, Mrs. Graham usually gave 
an address to the Society, with a report of the proceed- 
ings of the managers, through the preceding year. In 
April, 1800, she stated, that ' again the pestilence had 
4 emptied the city ; again every source of industry was 
4 dried up ; even the streams of benevolence from the 

* country failed. Those storehouses from which relief 
4 was issued to thousands in former calamities, now 

* disappointed their hopes ; and those spared by the 
4 pestilence, were ready to perish by the famine. Such 
6 widows as had no friends in the country, under 
6 whose roof they might for a time seek shelter, were 
4 shut up to the only relief within their power, even 
4 to that Society which had formerly saved them in 

* many a strait. They came, were received with ten- 
4 derness, assisted with food, advice, and medicine. 
4 Four of the Society's Board, at the risk of their lives, 
4 remained in the city, steady in the exercise of their 
4 office. One hundred and forty- two widows, with four 
4 hundred and six children, under twelve years of age, 
4 by far the greater part under six, have, from time to 
4 time, during the winter, been visited and relieved. 
4 Widow is a word of sorrow in the best of circum- 
4 stances ; but a widow left poor, destitute, friendless, 
4 surrounded with a number of small children, shiver- 
4 ing with cold, pale with want, looking in her face 
4 with eyes pleading for bread, which she has not to 
4 give, nor any probable prospect of procuring, is in a 
4 situation that calls for the deepest sympathy. Many 
4 such scenes were witnessed during the last winter ; 



44 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

4 and, though none could restore the father and the 

* husband, the hearts of the mourners were soothed by 

* the managers, while they dispensed the relief pro- 
" vided for them by their Father, and their Husband 
' God.' 

In her address for the year 1804, she says, 4 In 
< April last, it was reported that there were on the 
4 managers' books two hundred and one widows, with 
4 numerous families of small children. Of this number 
4 five had been ill all winter, several had had severe 
4 fits of illness, and forty-six were women of broken 
4 constitutions, who, could it be afforded, would re- 
4 quire assistance all summer. At the last anniver- 
4 sary, we reported, that Mrs. Hoffman and myself had 
4 visited twenty-seven new-made widows ; previously 
4 to the meeting, all in the enjoyment of health and 
4 prosperity. Of these women few had been accus- 
4 tomed to do more than make, mend, wash, and cook, 
4 for their husbands and families. Oh, how changed 
4 the scene ! Ye blessed agents of their Father, God ; 
4 ye managers, who have supplied their wants, and 
4 soothed their spirits, ye can tell — and their pale 
4 visages and dejected countenances attest to the truth 
4 of your report. That such evils exist, is painful to 
k humanity ; but, since they do exist, can there be a 
4 more delicate pleasure, than to be instrumental in alle- 
4 viating them ? Seven years has this Society been the 
4 darling of Providence. From a feeble plant it is be- 
4 come a large tree with spreading branches, under which 
4 many find shelter and sustenance. ' 

The winter of 1304-5, was unusually severe; the 
river Hudson was shut by frost as early as November : 
fuel was, consequently, scarce and dear ; and the poor 
suffered greatly. Mrs. Graham visited those parts of 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 45 

the city where the poorer classes of sufferers dwelt * ; in 
upwards of two hundred families, she either found a 



* The following notice of these scenes appeared in one of the peri- 
odical publications of the day : — 

When sorrow shrunk before the piercing wind, 
And famine, shelterless, in suffering pin'd ; 
When sickness droop'd in solitary pain, 
'Mid varying misery's relentless reign ; 
Oh ! then tumultuous rose the plaints of grief. 
And loud and strong the clamours for relief ! 
Then active Charity, with bounteous care, 
From gloomy faces chased the fiend, Despair ; 
Dispelled the horrors of the wintry day, 
And none that ask'd went unrelieved away. 

Yet there are some who sorrow's vigils keep, 
Unknown that languish — undistinguish'd weep ! 
Behold yon ruin'd building's shatter'd walls, 
Where drifting snow through many a crevice falls ; 
Whose smokeless vent no blazing fuel knows — 
But drear, and cold, the widow's mansion shows ; 
Her fragile form, by sickness deeply riven, 
Too weak to face the driving blasts of heaven ; 
Her voice too faint to reach some pitying ear, 
Her shivering babes command her anguish'd tear ; 
Their feeble cries in vain assistance crave, 
And expectation ' points but to — the grave.' 
But lo ! with hasty step, a female form 
Glides through the wind, and braves the chilling storm ; 
With eager hand now shakes the tott'ring door, 
Now rushes breathless o'er the snow-clad floor : 
Her tongue soft comfort to the mourner speaks, 
Her silver voice with soft emotion breaks ; 
Round the drear hovel roves her moisten'd eye, 
Her graceful bosom heaves the lengthen'd sigh. 
I know thee now — I know that angel frame— 
O that the muse might dare to breathe thy name \ 
Nor thine alone, but all that sister ^band, 
Who scatter gladness o'er a weeping land ; 



46 LIFE AISD WRITINGS OF 

Bible their property, or gave them one; praying with 
them in their affliction. She requested a friend to 
write, first one Religious Tract, and then another, 
suited to the peculiar situation of those afflicted people. 
One was called, ' A Donation to Poor Widows with 
small Children;' the other, ■ A Second Visit to Poor 
Widows with small Children.' And, lest it might be 
said, it was cheap to give advice, she usually gave a 
small sum of money along with the Tracts she distri- 
buted. There was at this time neither a Bible nor 
Tract Society in New-York. Mrs. Hoffman accompanied 
her in many of her excursions. In the course of their 
visits, they discovered a French family from St. Domingo, 
in such extremity of distress, as made them judge it 
necessary to report their case to the Honourable Dewitt 
Clinton, then Mayor of the city. The situation of 
this family being made public, three hundred dollars 
were voluntarily contributed for their relief. Roused 
by this incident, a public meeting was called at the 
Tontine Coffee-House, and committees from the different 
wards were appointed to aid the Corporation, in ascer- 
taining and supplying the immediate wants of the suffer- 
ing poor. The zeal of Mrs. Graham and Mrs. Hoffman 
paved the way for this public- spirited exertion, which, 
probably, was the means of saving the lives of some of 
the destitute and friendless. 



Who comfort to the infant sufferer bring, 

And c teach with joy the widow's heart to sing/ 

For this no noisy honours Fame shall give — 
In your own breasts your gentle virtues live : 
No sounding numbers shall your names reveal, 
But your own hearts the rich reward shall feel. 

Albert. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 47 

Iii the month of August, 1S05, Mrs. Graham paid 
another visit to her friends in Boston, and spoke of them 
with much affection and esteem. She used to mention 
with peculiar approbation, a Society of pious ladies there, 
who met once in every week, for prayer and mutual 
edification. 

On the 15th of March, 1S0S, the female subscribers, 
to proposals for providing an Asylum for orphan children, 
met at the City Hotel ; Mrs. Graham was called to 
the chair, a Society organized, and a Board of Direction 
chosen. Mrs. Hoffman was elected the First Directress 
of the Orphan Asylum Society. Mrs. Graham con- 
tinued in the office of First Directress of the Widows' 
Society, but took a deep interest in the success of 
the Orphan Asylum Society also ; she, or one of her 
family, taught the orphans daily, until the funds of 
the institution were sufficient to provide a teacher and 
superintendent. She was a trustee at the time of her 
decease. The wish to establish this new Society, was 
occasioned by the pain which it gave the ladies of the 
Widows' Society, to behold a family of orphans driven, 
on the decease of a widow, to seek refuge in the Alms 
House ; no melting heart to feel, no redeeming hand to 
rescue them from a situation so unpromising for mental 
and moral improvement. 

c Among the afflicted of our suffering race,' (thus 
speaks the Constitution of the Society,) ' none makes 
a stronger, more impressive, appeal to humanity, than 
the destitute orphan. Crime has not been the cause of 
its misery, and future usefulness may yet be the result 
of its protection ; the reverse is often the case of more 
aged objects. God himself has marked the fatherless 
as the peculiar subjects of his divine compassion. " A 
Father of the fatherless is God in his holy habitation. 



48 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the 
Lord will take me up." To be the blessed instrument of 
Divine Providence in making good the promise of God, is 
a privilege equally desirable and honourable to the bene- 
volent heart.' 

And truly God has made good his promise towards 
this benevolent institution. He has crowned the under- 
taking with his remarkable blessing. It was begun by 
his disciples in faith, and he has acknowledged them 
in it. Having for fourteen months occupied a hired 
house for an Asylum, the ladies entertained the bold 
idea of building an Asylum on account of the Society. 
They had then about three hundred and fifty dollars, 
as the commencement of a fund for the building : they 
purchased four lots of ground in the village of Greeu- 
wich, on a healthful elevated site, possessing a fine 
prospect. The corner-stone was laid on the 7th of 
July, 1807. They erected a building fifty feet square, 
planned for the accommodation of two hundred orphans. 
From time to time they proceeded to finish the interior 
of the building, and to purchase additional ground, as 
their funds would permit ; and such has been the libera- 
lity of the legislature and of the public, that the Society 
now possesses a handsome building, and nearly an acre 
of ground, all of which must have cost them little short 
of twenty-five thousand dollars. This property is 
clear, the last shilling due upon it having been lately 
paid off. Their success furnishes strong encourage- 
ment to attempt great and good objects, even with 
slender means. God, in his providence, will command 
a blessing on exertions of this character. It is too 
common a mistake, and one fatal to the progress of 
improvement, that great means should be in actual pos- 
session before great objects should be attempted. Ah, 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 49 

were our dependance simply on apparent instruments, 
how small must be our hopes of success! There is a 
mystery, yet a certainty, in the manner by which God 
is pleased in his providence to conduct feeble means to a 
happy conclusion. Has he not preserved, cherished, and 
blessed his church through many ages, amidst over- 
whelming persecutions, and that often by means ap- 
parently inadequate to this end ? We must work for, 
as well as pray for, the blessings which God has promised 
to bestow on our sinful race. We must put our shoulder 
to the wheel, while we look up to heaven for assistance, 
and God will always bless those who are found in the 
path of duty. The Orphan Asylum Society is a strik- 
ing proof of this : they have now one hundred orphans 
under their care, and have placed more than one hun- 
dred children in eligible situations, after educating 
them; many of the latter promise to be useful to 
society. If a child be fatherless, motherless, and of 
legitimate birth, it is welcome to their asylum. The 
children are clothed, fed, instructed. There is a well- 
regulated school on the Lancasterian plan, in a room 
fifty feet long, within the building: there are excellent 
printed regulations established for the management of 
the orphans : they enjoy religious instruction, and are 
under the care of a man and his wife, both pious 
characters : the latter are superintendents, under the 
direction of the board of ladies, one of whom is ap- 
pointed a weekly visiter at each monthly meeting of the 
trustees. 

Only one death has occurred among the orphans, since 
the commencement of the institution, excepting in cases 
where they came into the asylum sick ; and of such there 
have been but few. The ladies have set no limits to the 
number to be received : and it has pleased God also not 



50 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

to set limits to the means necessary for their support. 
The institution is a great favourite with the public, and 
is usually visited by strangers, who are delighted with 
the cleanliness, health, aud cheerful countenances of the 
orphans. 

The Society have received a charter of incorporation 
from the Legislature ; and they have a handsome seal, 
with this inscription ; inasmuch as ye have done it 

UNTO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE, YE HAVE DONE 
IT UNTO ME. 

For several years it was customary with Mrs. Graham 
to visit the hospital. Before the erection of the very 
valuable wing of that edifice, adapted to the reception of 
deranged persons, and now called 4 the Lunatic Asylum,' 
she paid a particular attention to patients of this de- 
scription. 

One instance is fresh in the recollection of the writer 
of this sketch. A French gentleman of fortune in St. 
Domingo, through the fidelity of one of his slaves, 
escaped the general massacre of the white people in 
his neighbourhood, by the blacks in 1793. Warned by 
this faithful informer, he fled with his mother, sister, 
and young brother, on board of a French vessel, while 
they were pursued to the beach. They had saved and 
carried with them some of their jewels ; but on their 
voyage the vessel was captured by a British privateer, 
and carried to Bermuda. From thence they sailed ui 
an American vessel for New-York ; but on their passage 
they were plundered by a French privateer. From these 
cruel depredations they saved but a slender amount of 
property for their support in a strange land. This 
gentleman now improved those accomplishments which 
his education had bestowed, as the means of providing 
a subsistence for himself and his dependant relatives. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 51 

He became a teacher of dancing. In the year 1797, 
he returned to St. Domingo, and received a commission 
in the British army, then masters of the place. Having 
recovered a part of his property, he sold his commis- 
sion, and prepared to return to New- York, with a 
prospect of rendering his family comfortable. On the 
day previous to embarking, " he fell among thieves," 
and received a wound which no Samaritan could cure. 
A set of gamblers robbed him, by card-playing, of all 
the money in his possession: his distress and remorse 
of conscience were too strong for his mind to bear, 
and he became a maniac. In this state he reached 
New- York. He refused to go to the Hospital, until 
Mrs. Graham led him thither. She had long befriended 
him and his family : he always listened respectfully to 
her requests, and she visited him often. Let the rest 
of his tale be told. He escaped from the Hospital, 
wandered to the southward, and was heard of no more. 
The remaining part of his family, after the peace of 
Amiens, returned to St. Domingo, where General Le 
Clerc had led a French army, and afterwards, there is 
every reason to fear, were destroyed by Christophe, 
along with many more unhappy victims of the same 
description. 

Oh slavery, thou bitter draught, the oppressor's chain 
becomes at length the murderous steel, sharply and 
secretly whetted by the oppressed ! Thence arise con- 
fusion, and every evil work. And what shall be said of 
gambling ? There cunning, malice, rage, and madness, 
mingle their horrible expressions. 

To the apartments appropriated to sick female convicts 
in the State Prison, Mrs. Graham made many visits. 
She met with some affecting circumstances among this 
class. 

D2 



52 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

In the winter 1807-8, when the suspension of com- 
merce by the embargo rendered the situation of the poor 
more destitute than ever, Mrs. Graham adopted a plan 
best calculated in her view to detect the idle applicant 
for charity, and at the same time to furnish employment 
for the more worthy among the female poor. She pur- 
chased flax, and lent wheels, where applicants had none. 
Such as were industrious, took the work with thank- 
fulness, and were paid for it : those who were beggars by 
profession, never kept their word by returning for the flax 
or the wheel. The flax, thus spun, was afterwards woven, 
bleached, and made into table cloths and towels for 
family use. 

Mrs. Graham used to remark, that, until some insti- 
tution should be formed to furnish employment for in- 
dustrious poor women, the work of charity would be 
incomplete. It was about this time, that, deeming the 
duties too laborious for her health, she resigned the office 
of first directress of the Widow's Society, and took the 
place of a manager. She afterwards declined this also, 
and became a trustee of the Orphan Asylum Society, as 
more suited to her advanced period of life. 

The delicate state of health to which one of her 
grand-daughters was reduced in 1808, made it neces- 
sary for her to spend the summer season, for five suc- 
cessive years, at Rockaway, for the advantage of sea- 
bathing. Mrs. Graham went with her, it being bene- 
ficial to her own health also. In this place she met with 
many strangers : the company residing there, treated 
her with much affection aud respect. She alw r ays at- 
tended to the worship of God, morning and evening, 
in her room, and was usually accompanied by some 
of the ladies who boarded in the house. Her fund 
of information, vivacity of manner, and the interest 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 53 

which -she felt in the happiness of all around her, made 
her society highly valued and pleasing. Few of those 
ladies who stayed with her at Rockaway, for any length 
of time, failed to express, at parting, their esteem for 
her ; and they generally added a pressing invitation for 
a visit from her, if ever she should travel near where they 
dwelt. 

In the year IS 10, while bathing, she was carried by 
the surf, beyond her depth, and, for some time, there 
was scarcely a hope of her regaining the shore. Her 
grand-children were weeping on the beach, and the 
company assembled there were afflicted but hopeless 
spectators of her danger. At that moment of peril, she 
prayed to the Lord for deliverance, but acquiesced in 
his will, if he should see fit to take her to himself in 
this manner. Able to swim a little, she kept herself 
afloat for some time ; she became at length very faint ; 
and when her friends on the bench apprehended her 
lost, they perceived that the wave had impelled her 
somewhat nearer to them. A gentleman present, and 
her female attendant, stepped into the surf; and, ex- 
tending their arms for mutual support, one of them was 
enabled to lay hold of Mrs. Graham's bathing- gown, 
and to pull her towards them. When they brought 
her ashore, she was much exhausted, and had swal- 
lowed a considerable quantity of water. It was some 
hours before she revived, when she addressed the 
company in a very serious and impressive manner, 
that affected them to tears. Her health, during the 
following winter, was much impaired by the shock it 
had received. 

In the year 1811, some gentlemen of New- York 
established a Magdalen Society ; they elected a Board 
of ladies, requesting their aid to superintend the internal 

D 3 



54 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

management of the Magdalen House. This Board chose 
Mrs. Graham their presiding lady, which office she held 
until her decease; the duties attendant on it she dis- 
charged with fidelity and zeal. In 1812, the trustees of 
the Lancasterian School solicited the attendance of 
several pious ladies, to give catechetical instruction to 
their scholars, one afternoon in every week: Mrs. 
Graham was one of those who attended regularly to 
this duty. 

During the last two years of her life, she found her 
strength inadequate to so extensive a course of visiting 
the poor as formerly ; there were some distressed families, 
however, that experienced her kind attentions to the 
last. She would occasionally accompany the Rev. Mr. 
Stanford on his visits to the State Prison, Hospital, and 
to the Magdalen House. This gentleman is the stated 
preacher, employed by ■ the Society for the support of 
the Gospel among the Poor.' He devotes his time to 
preaching in the Aims-House, Hospital, State Prison, 
Debtors' Prison, &c, with great assiduity and acceptance. 
Mrs. Graham now spent much of her time in her room, 
devoted to meditation, prayer, and reading the Scrip- 
tures ; she seemed to be weaning from earth, and pre- 
paring for heaven. Prayer was that sweet breath of her 
soul which brought stability to her life. Genuine humility 
was obvious in all her sentiments and deportment. Re- 
ligious friends prized her conversation, counsel, and 
friendship: sometimes they would venture on a com- 
pliment to her superior attainments, but always expe- 
rienced a decided rebuke. To her friend, Colonel L — , 
who expressed a wish to be such a character as she was, 
she quickly replied, with an air of mingled pleasantry 
and censure, ' Get thee behind me, Satan.' To a 
female friend, who said, 4 If I were only sure at last 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 55 

of being admitted to a place at your feet, I should 
feel happy/ ' Hush, hush/ replied Mrs. Graham, ' there 
is OXE SAVIOUR/ Thus she was always careful 
to give her Divine Redeemer the whole glory of her 
salvation. 

This example of humility, self-denial, and sensibility 
to the imperfection of her conduct, is the more to be 
valued, as it is so difficult to be followed. Flattery is 
too commonly practised ; and there is no sufficient guard 
against its dangerous consequences, except a constant 
and humbling recognition of the spirituality of the law 
of God ; and our lamentable deficiency in fulfilling it. 
Pride was not made for man; "I have seen an end 
of all perfection," said the Psalmist, "but thy com- 
mandment is exceeding broad. " It was by cherishing 
this sentiment, by studying her Bible, by searching 
her heart, and its motives ; and, above all, by grace 
accorded of heaven, in answer to her prayers, that Mrs. 
Graham was enabled to maintain such a meekness of 
spirit, such a uniformity of Christian character through- 
out her life. May all who read her history be directed 
to the same sources of true peace, and genuine hap- 
piness ! 

In the spring of 1S14, she was requested to unite with 
some ladies, in forming a Society for the promotion of 
industry among the poor. As this was the last act in 
which she appeared before the public, and because some 
acquaintance with the design of the Institution, may 
prove useful in exciting others to similar exertions, the 
Petition sent to the Corporation of New-York will be 
given here at length, as it appeared in the publications of 
the Society : 



D 4 



56 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

1 To the Honourable the Mayor and Common Council of the 
City of New- York. 

c We, whose names are subscribed, beg leave respect- 
fully to address you, on a subject which has engaged 
our attention. Notwithstanding the large amount of 
money expended by private benevolence for the relief 
of the indigent, it is cause of regret, that such relief is 
of so limited a character : cast, as it were, into a troubled 
sea, it sinks to rise no more. Could a fair proportion 
of the money indefinitely expended on the poor, be 
placed under the care of an Institution, which should 
use it to stimulate industry, by providing work for the 
indigent, and paying them only for their labour ; that 
proportion would be directed to the most beneficent 
purpose. Such a course would encourage industrious 
habits, do away the necessity of begging, and foster self- 
respect in the honest poor. 

4 Such an Institution, we trust, your Honourable 
Body will deem worthy of public patronage ; we are 
willing and desirous to support it by our personal 
exertions, according to a plan which we now respectfully 
submit to your examination. A House of Industry 
forms a principal feature of this plan. Should your 
Honourable Body so far patronise us, as to assign us a 
building for that purpose, we shall commence the work, 
trusting to the benevolence and discernment of our 
citizens. 

4 The admonition of holy Writ, " Much food is in the 
tillage of the poor, but there is that is destroyed for want 
of judgment," we feel as a strong incitement to render 
the industry of the poor useful to themselves, and to the 
community. Without the aid now respectfully soli- 
ited,the attempt would, on our part, be hazardous and 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM 57 

inefficient. Our zeal to promote an Institution, having 
this object in view, must be our excuse for addressing 
ourselves to the guardians and rulers of the city.' 

This Petition was signed by about thirty ladies. 

The Corporation having returned a favourable answer, 
and provided a house, a meeting of the Society was 
held, and Mrs. Graham once more was called to the 
chair. It was the last time that she was to preside 
at the formation of a new Society. Her articulation, 
once strong and clear, was now observed to have become 
more feeble. The ladies present listened to her with 
affectionate attention : her voice broke upon the ear 
as a pleasant sound that was passing away. She con- 
sented to have her name inserted in the list of managers, 
and to give what assistance her age would permit, in 
forwarding so beneficent a work. Although it pleased 
God to make her cease from her labours, before the 
House of Industry was opened, yet the work was car- 
ried on by others, and prospered. Between four and five 
hundred women were employed, and paid during the fol- 
lowing winter. The Corporation declared, in strong 
terms, their approbation of the result, and enlarged their 
donation, with a view to promote the same undertaking 
for the succeeding winter. 

In the month of May, 1814, a Report was received 
from Mr. S. P— , of Bristol, in England, of the Society 
for establishing Adult Schools. Mrs. Graham was so 
delighted with the perusal of it, as immediately to under- 
take the formation of such a School in the village of 
Greenwich. She called on the young people who were 
at work in some neighbouring manufactories, and re- 
quested them to attend her for this purpose every Sab- 
bath morning at eight o'clock. This was kept up after 

D 5 



58 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

her decease, as a Sunday School, and consisted of nearly 
eighty scholars. She was translated from this work of 
faith on earth, to engage in the sublimer work of praise in 
heaven. 

For some weeks previous to her last illness, she was 
favoured with unusual health, and much enjoyment of 
religion : she appeared to have sweet exercises and com- 
munion in attending on all God's ordinances and ap- 
pointed means of grace. 

She was greatly refreshed in spirit by the success of 
Missionary and Bible Societies. She used to speak with 
much affection of Mr. Gordon, Mr. Lee, and Mr. May, 
with whom she had been acquainted when in New-York, 
on their way to missionary stations in India. For Mr. 
Robert Morrison, whom she had seen in 1807, on his 
way to China, she entertained a very high regard. 
She was much pleased with the solid talents, ardent 
piety, and persevering zeal, which she discerned in his 
character. 

Mrs. Graham was very partial to the works of Dr. John 
Owen, the Rev. William Romaine, and the Rev. John 
Newton, and read them with pleasure and profit. One 

day she remarked to Mr. B , that she preferred the 

ancient writers on theology to the modern, because 
they dealt more in Italics. ' Dear mother,' he re- 
plied, ' what religion can there be in italics V ' You 
know,' said she, ' that old writers expected credit for 
the doctrines they taught, by proving them, from the 
word of God, to be correct ; they inserted the Scrip- 
ture passages in italics, and their works have been 
sometimes one half in italics. Modern writers on 
theology, on the contrary, give us a long train of rea- 
soning, to persuade us to their opinions, but very little 
in italics.' This remark of hers has great force, and 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 59 

deserves the serious attention of those -who write, and 
those who read, on theological subjects. 

On the two Sabbath days preceding her illness, she 
partook of the communion, and was, consequently, much 
engaged in religious exercises. The last meditation she 
ever wrote, was on Sabbath afternoon, the 17th of 
July 1814: it closes with the following lines: 4 I ate 
4 the bread, and drank the wine, in the faith that I 
4 ate the flesh, and drank the blood, of the Son of 
4 Man, and dwelt in him, and he in me ! took a close 
4 view of my familiar friend, death, accompanied with 
4 the presence of my Saviour ; - his sensible presence, I 
1 cannot look at it without this. It is my only petition 
4 concerning it. I have had desires relative to certain 
4 circumstances, but they are nearly gone. It is my 
4 sincere desire that God may be glorified: and He 
4 knows best how, and by what circumstances r I retain 
4 my one petition: — 

1 Only to me thy counfnance shew, 
1 I ask no more the Jordan through/ 

Thus she arose from her Master's table, was called to 
gird on her armour for a combat with the King of Terrors, 
and came off more than conqueror through Him who loved 
her. 

On Tuesday the 19th of July, she complained of 
not feeling well, and kept her room ; on Thursday her 
disorder proved to be a cholera- morbus, and her chil- 
dren sent for a physician. She thought this attack 
was slighter than in former seasons. On Saturday, 
however, she requested that Mrs. Chrystie might be sent 

for ; this alarmed Mrs. B , knowing there existed an 

understanding between those two friends, that one should 
attend the dyiag-bed of the other; Mrs. Chrystie 

D6 



60 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

was a very dear friend of Mrs. Graham. For upwards 
of twenty-four years they had loved each other, feeling 
reciprocal sympathy in their joys and their sorrows : 
the hope of faith was the consolation of both, and 
oftentimes it had been their delightful employment to 
interchange their expressions of affection towards Him, 
" whom, having not seen, they loved ; and in whom, 
though they saw him not, yet believing on him, they 
rejoiced with joy unspeakable, and full of glory." On 
Mrs. Chrystie's entering the chamber of her friend, Mrs. 
Graham welcomed her with a sweet expressive smile, 
seeming to say, ' I am going to get the start of you, 
I am called home before you ; it will be your office to 
fulfil our engagement. , When she sat by her bed-side, 
Mrs. Graham said, ' your face is very pleasant to me, 
my friend.' During Saturday night a lethargy ap- 
peared to be overpowering her frame. On Sabbath 
morning she was disposed to constant slumber; ob- 
serving Mr. B looking at her with agitation, she was 

roused from her heaviness, and stretching her arms to- 
wards him, and embracing him, she said, 4 My dear, 
dear son, I am going to leave you, I am going to my 
Saviour.' i I know/ he replied, * that when you do 
go from us, it will be to the Saviour ; but, my dear 
mother, it may not be the Lord's time now to call you 
to himself.' ' Yes,' said she, * now is the time; and, 
Oh ! I could weep for sin.' Her words were accom- 
panied with her tears. ' Have you any doubts, then, 
my dear friend V asked Mrs. Chrystie. * Oh no/ replied 

Mrs. Graham ; and, looking at Mr. and Mrs. B , 

as they wept: 4 My dear children, I have *io more 
doubt of going to my Saviour, than if I were already 
in his arms ; my guilt is all transferred ; he has can- 
celled all I owed. Yet I could weep for sins against 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 61 

so good a God: it seems to me as if there must be 
weeping even in heaven for sin/ After this she entered 
into conversation with her friends, mentioning portions 
of Scripture, and favourite hymns which had been sub- 
jects of much comfortable exercise of mind to her. Some 
of these she had transcribed into a little book, calling 
them her victuals prepared for crossing over Jordan: 
she committed them to memory, and often called them 
to remembrance as her songs in the night, when sleep 
had deserted her. She then got Mr. B — to read to 
her some of these portions, especially the eighty-second 
hymn of the third book of Newton's hymns, beginning 
thus : 

Let us love, and sing, and wonder ; 

Let us praise the Saviour's name ! 
He has hush'd the law's loud thunder ; 
He has quench' d Mount Sinai's flame ; 
He has wash'd us with his blood ; 
He has brought us nigh to God. 

Mrs. Graham then fell asleep, nor did she awakeit 
until the voice of the Rev. Doctor Mason roused her. 
They had a very affectionate interview, which he has 
partly described in the excellent sermon he delivered 
after her decease. She expressed to him her hope, as 
founded altogether on the redemption that is in Jesus 
Christ. Were she left to depend on the merits of the 
best action she had ever performed, that would be only 
a source of despair. She repeated to him, as her view 
of salvation, the fourth verse of the hymn already 
quoted :— 

Let us wonder, grace and justice 

Join, and point at mercy's store ; 
When thro' grace in Christ our trust is, 

Justice smiles, and asks no more ; 



62 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

He who wash'd us with his blood, 
Has secur'd our way to God. 

Having asked Doctor Mason to pray with her, he 
inquired if there was any particular request she had to 
make of God, by him; she replied that God will 
direct: then, as he kneeled, she put up her hand and, 
raising her eyes towards heaven, breathed this short, 
but expressive, petition, Lord, lead thy servant in 
prayer/ 

After Doctor Mason had taken his leave, she again fell 
into a deep sleep. Her physicians still expressed a 
hope of her recovery, as her pulse was regular, and 
the violence of her disease had abated. One of them, 
however, declared his opinion, that his poor drugs would 
prove of little avail against her own ardent prayers to 
depart and be with Christ, which was far better for her 
than a return to a dying world. 

On Monday the Rev. Mr. Rowen prayed with her, 
and to him she expressed also the tranquillity of her 
mind, and the steadfastness of her hope through Christ, 
of eternal felicity. 

Her lethargy increased ; at intervals from sleep, she 
would occasionally assure her daughter, Mrs. B — , that 
all was well ; and when she coidd rouse herself only to 
say one word at a time, that one word, accompanied 
with a smile, was, 4 Peace.' From her, there was a 
peculiar emphasis in this expression of the state of her 
mind : " Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto 
you," had been a favourite portion of Scripture with her, 
and a promise, the fulfilment of which was her earnest 
prayer to the God who made it. She also occasionally 
asked Mr. B — to pray with her, even when she 
could only articulate, as she looked at him, 4 Pray.' 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 63 

She was now surrounded by many of her dear Christian 
friends, who watched her dying-bed with affection and 
solicitude. On Tuesday afternoon she slept with little 
intermission. ' This/ said Doctor Mason, ' may be truly 
called "falling asleep in Jesus." ' Is was remarked, by 
those who attended her, that all terror was taken away, 
and that death seemed here as an entrance into life. Her 
countenance was placid, and looked younger than before 
her illness. 

At a quarter past twelve o'clock, being the morning of 
the 27th of July, 1814, without a struggle or a groan, 
her spirit winged its flight from a mansion of clay to 
the realms of glory, while around the precious remnant 
of earth, her family and friends stood weeping, yet 
elevated by the scene they were witnessing. After a 
silence of many minutes, they kneeled by her bed, 
adored the goodness and grace of God towards his 
departed child, and implored the divine blessing on 
both the branches of her family, as well as on all the 
Israel of God. 

Thus she departed in peace, not trusting in her wisdom 
or virtue, like the philosophers of Greece and Rome ; 
not even, like Addison, calling on the profligate to 
see a good man die; but, like Howard, afraid that 
her good works might have a wrong place in the esti- 
mate of her hope, her chief glory was that of ' a sinner 
saved by grace.*' 

After such examples, who will dare to charge the 
doctrines of the cross of Christ with licentiousness? 
Here were two instances of persons, to whose good 
works the world have cheerfully borne testimony, who 
lived and died in the profession of these doctrines. It 

* This was Howard's epitaph dictated by himself. 



64 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

was faith that first purified their hearts, and so the 
stream of action from these fountains became pure also. 
Had not Christ died, and risen again, all the powers of 
man could never have produced such lives of benevolence, 
nor a death so full of contrition, yet so embalmed with 
hope. " Hallelujah : unto Him who loved us, and washed 
us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us 
kings and priests unto God and his Father : to him be 
glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." 

Mrs. Graham's death created a strong sensation in the 
public mind. Several clergymen in New- York made 
this event the subject of their discourses ; and, in the 
annual reports of many charitable institutions, an affec- 
tionate tribute of respect was paid to her memory. 
Two of the chief magistrates of the city said to Mr. 
B — , that they considered the death of Mrs. Graham 
as a public loss. The Rev. Doctor Mason was re- 
quested to preach a sermon on this occasion. How 
ably he executed this trust is well known to the public. 
The hymn she quoted to him was sung after the sermon*. 

At the weekly Prayer meeting which she usually 
attended, the circumstances of her death were made 
subjects of improvement. On the 16th of July she was 
a worshipper with her brethren and sisters there, and on 
the evening of the 30th they were called to consider her 
by faith as in the immediate presence of her God, among 
41 the spirits of the just made perfect." 

The services of that evening were closed with a hymn 
from Dobell's collection, which, being descriptive of her 
happy change, shall be given here at length, as a proper 
conclusion of this imperfect sketch of her life. 

* The perusal of this sermon has already led to the establishment 
of two respectable orphan societies, and of one adult school in the 
United States. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 65 

; Tis finished ! the conflict is past, 

The heav'n-born spirit is fled ; 
Her wish is accomplish' d at last, 

And now she's entomb'd with the dead, 

The months of affliction are o'er, 

The days and the nights of distress ; 
We see her in anguish no more — 

She's gained her happy release. 

No sickness, or sorrow, or pain, 

Shall ever disquiet her now ; 
For death to her spirit was gain, 

Since Christ was her life when below. 

Her soul has now taken its flight 

To mansions of glory above, 
To mingle with angels of light, 

And dwell in the kingdom of love. 

The victory now is obtained ; 

She's gone her dear Saviour to see ; 
Her wishes she fully has gain'd — 

She's now where she longed to be. 

The coffin, the shroud, and the graye, 
To her were no objects of dread ; 
On Him who is mighty to save, 
Her soul was with confidence stay'd. 

Then let us forbear to complain, 

That she is now gone from our sight ; 
We soon shall behold her again, 

With new and redoubled delight. 



DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES. 



Edinburgh, March, 1789. 

Jeremiah, xlix. n. 

Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; 
and let thy widoivs trust in me. 

The Lord's promise which he made to me in the days 
of my widowhood, and which I have made the subject 
of my prayers from day to day-staking the words in a 
spiritual sense. The Lord has done wonders for me 
and mine, since the day I was left a widow with three 
orphans, and the fourth not born, in a strange land, 
without money, at a distance from friends ; or rather, 
without friends. Hitherto he has supplied all my wants, 
and laid to hand every necessary and many comforts; 
supporting character and credit ; making a way for me 
through the wilderness, pointing out my path, and 
settling the bounds of my habitation. 

For all these blessings I desire to be grateful to the 
God of providence, whose is the earth, and the fulness 
thereof: but these I cannot take as the substance of 
the promise ; neither have they been the chief matter 
of my prayers. The salvation and the life I have 
wrestled for, is that which Christ died to purchase, 
and lives to bestow even spiritual life, and salvation 
from sin. My God knows I have sought first the 
kingdom of God for my children, leaving temporal 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 67 

things to be given or withheld, as may best suit with 
the conversion and sanctification of their souls. I have 
not asked for them health, beauty, riches, honours, or 
temporal life ; God knows what share of these consists 
with their better interests : let him give or withhold, 
accordingly. One thing I have asked of the Lord, 
one thing only, and will persist in asking, trust in him 
for, and for which I think I have his promise, even the 
life of their and my souls. My petition for myself and 
mine is contained in 1 Thessalonians, v. 23 ; — and my 
anchor of hope is found in the following verse, and in 
Jeremiah, xlix. 1 1 . 



Edinburgh, March 17, 17S9. 

This day, from the head of his own table, did the 
Lord by his servant Mr. R — , proclaim his name the 
I AM, and call on me to write under what 1 w^ould, 
for time and eternity. My soul rejoices that God is, 
and that he is what he is ; nothing less than himself 
can content me, nothing more do I desire. 

This great I AM is my portion — what can I ask 
beside ? He has opened mine eyes to see his excellency ; 
he hath determined my will to choose him for my 
portion. He has arranged and set in order, a rich testa- 
ment sealed by the blood of his own Son, containing 
every blessing for time and for eternity. All my 
heart's desire is there promised, and faith given to 
believe there shall be a full performance. What have I 
to say then, but, Amen, do as thou hast said ? Father, 
glorify thy name. Thou hast said, " Then will I sprinkle 
clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean ; from 
all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse 
youw A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit 



68 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

will I put within you ; and I will take away the stony 
heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of 
flesh ; and I will put my spirit within you and cause 
you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judg- 
ments and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land 
that I gave to your fathers ; and ye shall be my people, 
and I will be your God." Amen. Lord, do as thou 
hast said. Behold I will take hold of thy covenant for 
myself and for my children. It is well ordered in all 
things, and it is sure.- My heart accords to every part 
of it. Wilt thou guide us by thy counsel while we 
live, and afterwards receive us to thy glory? Amen, 
and Amen — do as thou hast said. 

If we forsake thy laws, and go astray ; if we depart 
from thee, and break thy commandments, wilt thou 
visit our faults with rods, and our sins with chastise- 
ments ? Blessed promise, Amen, Lord, do as thou 
hast said: seeing thy loving-kindness is secured to us, 
and thou wilt not cast us off from being thy people, 
nor alter that which thou hast spoken ; wilt thou keep 
us as the apple of thine eye ? Wilt thou cover us with 
the shadow of thy wing ? Art thou my husband ? Art 
thou the Father of my fatherless children ? Wilt thou 
be the Stay of these orphans, and their and my Shield 
in a strange land ? Wilt thou perfect what concerns 
us ? Wilt thou care for us ? Wilt thou never " leave us, 
never forsake us ?" In the valley of the shadow of death, 
shall thy rod and staff support us ? What can thy 
servant say, but, Amen, do as thou hast said. 



New-York, August 26, 1790. 

Reading over my former experience, has a little 
revived this cold heart. Strange things hast thou done 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 69 

for me and mine. Thou hast said again and again, 
" Trust not in man ;" yet, my idolatrous heart will cleave 
inordinately to my friends. Thou has seen it neces- 
sary to let me see, how easy it is with thee to blast 
the brightest hopes ai^i fairest prospects : thou hast 
showed me that father and mother may forsake ; and 
even friends in Christ stand aloof. Glory to thy name, 
thou hast also confirmed a consequent hope; the Lord 
has taken me up. Thou knowest my castings down, 
and liftings up. The world would not believe me, 
were I to tell them " the stately steps" thou hast taken fot 
my relief. 



New-York, May, 20, 1791. 

This day my only son left me in bitter wringings of 
heart : he is again launched on the occean ; — God's 
ocean. The Lord saved him from shipwreck ; brought 
him to my home, and allowed me once more to indulge 
my affections over him. He has been with me but a 
short time, and ill have I improved it ; he is gone from 
my sight, and my heart bursts with tumultuous grief. 
Lord, have mercy on the widow's son — " the only son of 
his mother.'' 

I ask nothing in all this world for him ; I repeat my 
petition, save his soul alive, give him salvation from 
sin. It is not the danger of the seas that distresses 
me ; it is not the hardships he must undergo ; it is not 
the dread of never seeing him more in this world ; it 
is because I cannot discern the fulfilment of the pro- 
mise in him. I cannot discern the new birth nor its 
fruits, but every symptom of captivity to Satan, the 
world and self-will. This, this is what distresses me ; 
and, in connexion with this, his being shut out from 



70 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

ordinances, at a distance from Christians ; shut up with 
those who forget God, profane his name, and break his 
Sabbaths, men who often live and die like beasts ; yet 
are accountable creatures, who must answer for every 
moment of time, and every word, thought, and action. 
O Lord, many wonders hast thou shown me : thy ways 
of dealing with me and mine have not been common 
ones — add this wonder to the rest. Call, convert, re- 
generate, and establish a sailor in the faith. Lord, 
all things are possible with thee : glorify thy Son, and 
extend his kingdom by sea and land ; take the prey from 
the strong. I roll him over upon thee. Many friends 
try to comfort me ; miserable comforters are they all. 
Thou art the God of consolation; only confirm to me 
thy gracious word, on which thou causedst me to hope, 
in the day when thou saidst to me, " Leave thy fatherless 
children, I will preserve them alive." Only let this life 
be a spiritual life, and I put a blank in thy hand as to all 
temporal things. 

" I wait for thy salvation." Amen. 



New-York, August 18, 1791. 
Thus far the Lord hath tried me, and kept me to 
my choice. This night I have tidings, through a letter 
to Dr. M., that my son has been seized by the press- 
gang. Through God's help, he escaped ; but all his 
assortment of necessaries that his sisters and I made 
up with so much care, labour, and expense, they have 
carried off, and he is once more left naked. Satan, 
and a corrupt heart, unite in tempting me to fret. 
Dare I utter a word, or harbour a murmuring thought ? 
Would I withdraw the blank I have put into the Re- 
deemer's hand? Has he not hitherto done all things 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 71 

well? Have not my own afflictions been my greatest 
blessings ? Have not I asked for my children their 
mother's portion? Has not God chiefly made use of 
afflictions as means of hedging me in, and shutting me 
up to my choice of this portion, as well as showing me 
that He is a sufficient portion, without any other? 
When things have been at the worst with me, as to this 
world, my triumphs in my God have been highest, and 
prospects for eternity brightest. 

Has the Lord given me, in some measure, victory 
over the w r orld? Do its honours, riches, show, and 
gaudy splendours, appear to me empty, and vain, and 
not worth an anxious thought ? Does provision of 
food and raiment, by the way, through this wilderness, 
seem all that is necessary ? And is it my wish, as well 
as form of prayer, that the Lord may give that in kind 
and degree, which he sees fittest for me ? And shall 
I covet that for my child which I despise for myself ? 
Alas ! Lord, he feeds not on better things, and sometimes 
I fear he has no better portion. Still, still, foolish. 
Was it when I was full or in want, that I returned to my 
heavenly Father ? Do I desire, have I asked, and 
persisted in asking, for my children, salvation from sin 
and self? Do I anxiously wish them to reach and to 
surpass my present measure of submission and resigna- 
tion to thy will — to enjoy God in all things, and nothing 
without him? And shall I, dare I, fret when I see the 
Lord making use of the same means which first brought 
me to myself, and recovered me also from numberless 
backslidings since I first tasted the blessedness of his 
chosen ? 

Lord, I renew my blank. I afresh roll all my cares 
over upon thee. I will try to look on, in the faith that 
all things shall work together for good to their souls ; 



72 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

and that I shall yet see the day, or, if I see it not. that 
it will come, when they shall bow at thy footstool ; sink 
inta the open arms of thy mercy in Christ ; melted 
down in holy, humble, acquiescing, cordial submission 
to thy severest dealings with them ; when thou shalt put 
a new song into their mouths, and they shall sing as I do 
now, " It hath been very good for me that I have been 
afflicted. I wait for thy salvation. Amen." 



New- York, September, 1791. 
Many have been my burdens of late: strangers laid 
upon me to provide for, even when I thought I had not 
sufficient to give to all their due, and provide for my 
own family. But what is that to me ? The Lord in- 
creases business, bears me and my burdens, provides 
for me and strangers. Lord, it is all well : give when 
thou wilt, and call for it again, when and for what pur- 
pose thou wilt ; it is thine own. I am thine, and all 
that thou givest me is thine : the world calls it mine, 
bnt I call it thine. If it be thy will, lead me in a plain 
path, or, if thou lead me by a way which I know not, 
hold up my goings, so shall I be in peace and safety still. 
Amen. 



New-York, October 10, 1791. 
This day did the Lord's servant, in a solemn manner, 
take us all to witness, and call in the witness of 
angels, that we had once more avouched ourselves to 
be the Lord's ; and that once more Christ and his sal- 
vation had been offered to all within the walls. This 
same day, for the second time, have my two daughters 
pat down at the Redeemer's table, among his profes- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 73 

sing people ; and I have reason to think, given their 
hearty assent to his covenant. 

Glory! Glory! Glory! to the Hearer of prayer. I 
have cast my fatherless children on the Lord, and he has 
begun to make good my confidence. " One thing," one 
only thing, have I asked for them, leaving every thing 
else to be bestowed or withheld, as consisting with that •* 
I seek for my four children and myself, first of all, " the 
kingdom of God." 

My God, from day to day, adds many other comforts, 
and strengthens my hopes by promising appearances, 
that " the grain of mustard-seed" is sown in the hearts of 
my three daughters. They have joined themselves to the 
people of God, and I have reason to think the Lord has 
ratified their surrender of themselves to him ; he has 
made them willing for the time, and he will hedge them 
in to the choice they have made. 

Saturday, September, 1791. The Lord made me a 
grandmother, assisted my poor weakly girl in child- 
bearing, and gave a son to her and my arms. " There 
w f as joy, that a man child was born into the world ;" 
and according to thy word, " she remembered no more 
her pain." 

Thanks be to God for this salvation ; but, Lord, 
this is but a small thing with thee. Look, O look on 
this twig from a guilty stock ; poor, helpless, feeble 
creature, it can do nothing for its body, and still less 
for its soul. O God of " the spirits of all flesh," give it a 
plunge in " the blood of Jesus" — cleanse, O cleanse him 
44 from original sin;" and now, even now, in thy own 
sovereign and mysterious way, sow " the grain of mustard- 
seed" in his soul. 



fi 



74 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

New-York, January £0, 1792. 
This day our worthy pastor preached from Revela- 
tions, xiv. 4. : " These are they who follow the Lamb 
whithersoever he goeth ; these are redeemed from among 
men, being the first fruits unto God, and to the Lamb, 
and in their mouth was found no guile, for they are with- 
out fault before God." The one hundred and forty -four 
thousand on mount Zion around the Lamb, having their 
Father's name written on their foreheads — a goodly 
number: the people of God redeemed from among 
men, and distinguished from the world by the image of 
God stampt upon their souls, by the Spirit of God 
dwelling in, and operating on, their hearts, and this 
distinguishable by the effects it produces on their lives 
and conversation. 

" They follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth^* The 
Lamb is their leader, and they keep him ever in their 
view : the world, the men of the world, live to and for the 
world. 

< Some walk in honour's gaudy show. 

Some dig for golden ore ; 
They toil for heirs, they know not who, 

And straight are seen no more/ 

These are the chief objects, which they hunt through 
life, unmindful of the Gospel call, of the offered salva- 
tion, of the remonstrances of God in his word, provi- 
dences, and by his servants, till they drop, oh where! 
into the pit of the beast, the prince of^this world, 
whose mark is in their foreheads, and whose image is 
impressed deeply on their souls. The followers of the 
Lamb shall share with him in his glory ; the followers 
of the beast shall share with him in the wine of Gods 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 75 

wrath, poured out without mixture into the cup of his 
indignation, and be tormented day and night with fire, 
in the presence of the Lamb and his holy angels ; and 
the smoke of their torment ascendeth up day and 
night, who worship the beast, and receive the mark of 
his name. Why do I start, why do I stagger, at the 
divine declaration ? The Judge of all the earth, yea, 
of heaven and hell, and all worlds, shall do right : 
yet shall he do this. Mercy, as well as judgment, is, 
was, and ever shall be, around his throne, yet shall he 
do this. Goodness and mercy are his darling attri- 
butes. He is " the Lord, merciful and gracious, long 
suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy 
for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin." 
Yet will he do this, for he will " by no means clear the 
guilty." Vengeance shall be taken on every sin, not 
one shall pass unpunished; yet these hundred and 
forty-four thousand were sinners of Adam's race, with 
corrupt hearts, breaking out into guilty words and 
deeds, like mine, every one, the least of them justly 
condemning the sinner to these dreadful torments. 
Yet are they all around the Lamb, rejoicing in his 
presence, and beautified with his likeness. Blessed 
Lamb of God! thou art worthy; thou hast loosed the 
seals ; and unravelled the mystery, how vengeance can 
be taken on sin, and mercy embrace the sinner. Thou 
was " caught in the thicket !" The Father, the Judge 
called, " Spare, I have found a ransom ;" the Son called, 
Spare, lo, I come " to lay down mine own life for the 
sheep !" The blessed Spirit called, Spare, " I will create 
a new heart, and renew a right spirit within them !" 
Through the mysterious incarnation, life, and death, of 
our glorious Redeemer, Son of God, and Son of man, 
he hath redeemed, sanctified, perfected all around the 

E 2 



76 LIFE AND WRITINGS O* 

throne ; and there are now a goodly number who are on 
the way, bearing their cross after him. 

They have embraced his offered mercy ; they have 
taken hold of God's covenant just as it stands, " well 
ordered in all things, and sure." Christ himself the sum 
and substance of it : he is their Wisdom, Righteousness, 
Sanctification, and Redemption. Justifying righteous- 
ness he wrought out for them by his perfect personal 
obedience : their sanctification is going on by means of 
his appointing, even by his word, by his servants, by 
the operations of his Spirit in their hearts, and by his 
external providences, whereby he brings about such a 
train of circumstances in their lot, as breaks the force of 
corruption, mortifies pride, loosens their attachment to 
the world, endears himself to them, and by degrees wins 
their entire confidence, and consent to let him do all for 
them, and all in them ; and then, and not till then, he is 
all to them. 

Oh ! what is this world and its empty baubles ! Lord, 
" lift on me the light of thy countenance !" Let me never 
loose sight of thee : set me as a seal upon thine arm, and 
let me lean upon thy bosom. 

What a mystery am I to myself! I know all these 
delights — what it is to be in the banqueting-house of 
my Beloved, and " to sit under his banner with delight," 
to be satisfied, to be more than satisfied, to be almost 
ct sick of love," so as to look down on all created enjoy* 
ments with contempt : yea, I have wished to die, to be 
delivered from them: and yet, when engaged in the 
necessary business of the world, daily and hourly 
become a prey to its anxieties. I am elated, disap- 
pointed, fretted like those who have no other portion, 
and neglect, shamefully neglect, the means by which 
God conveys to my heart those dear cordials and 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 77 

tastes of his love, which, when I enjoy, I would never 
wish to part with, but which I lose through indolence, 
unwatchfulness, or I know not what ; and, when gone, 
neglect the means to recover. Oh, what a strange, 
inconsistent, contradictory being, is a half- sanctified 
Christian. 



New York, 1793. 
Blessed Lord, thou hast, to the praise of thy 
grace, given me the heritage of them that fear thy 
name; thou hast prepared my heart to pray, and in- 
clined thine ear to hear: thou hast drawn me into thy 
fold, and hast fed me in thy green pastures. I rejoice 
in Israel's Shepherd, not one of his flock can be lost. 
Often have I wandered from his presence, and sought 
pasture among the swine ; but my Shepherd has ever 
drawn or driven me back. He has a rod, and I have felt 
it ; but I bless the hand, and kiss the rod. 

how wonderful, to look back and see " all the way 
by which he has led me, to prove me, to try me, to show 
me what was in my heart, that he might do me good at 
my latter end." 

Amen, my God, I leave myself in thy hands. 

1 should lose myself ; but thou wilt keep me from foes 
without and foes within. What then have I to care for ? 
My shepherd cares for all : " He slumbers not, nor 
sleeps," and he will perfect what concerns me ; of this I 
am as sure as that I now write it. 

But, O my God, will thou not take my orphans also ? 
Lord, care not only for me, but mine : bring them also 
within this door. " Compel them to come in." 

Let me see them hungering after these green pastures. 
E 3 



78 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Let me see them brought off from husks, and brought 
back to their Father's house. 

The means are thine, the work thine, the glory be 
thine. I leave my fatherless children on thee ; save them 
alive as thou hast said. Amen. 

" The law of thy mouth is better unto me than gold 
and silver. O how I love thy law ! It is my meditation 
all the day. Thou, through thy commandments, (or the 
whole of thy truth,) hast made me wiser than my 
teachers. The law of God makes the simple wise. How 
sweet are thy words unto my taste ; yea, sweeter than 
honey to my mouth ! Through thy precepts I get under- 
standing, therefore I hate every false way. Thy word 
is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." 
How safe, how happy are they who are taught by the 
word of God. " Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona ; 
for flesh and blood have not taught thee this, but my 
Father who is in heaven." O my children! enrich your 
minds with a full acquaintance with the word of God ; 
lay it up in your memories, when you can do nothing 
more ; be assured, if ever you are made wise unto sal- 
vation, it must be by this word; if ever you are taught 
of God, he will teach you by the words contained in 
the Bible. " Search the Scriptures, for they are they 
which testify of me ;" search the Scriptures, for in them 
are contained the words of eternal life. " Be followers 
of them, who through faith and patience now inherit the 
promises." Holy David went forward, heaven-ward, im- 
proving in the knowledge of God, of himself, and of 
God's plan of salvation for ruined sinners, by studying 
the word, the works, and the providences of God, but 
chiefly the word of God; praying for, watching for 
the influences of God's Spirit on his judgment and 
thinking powers ; it was thus that he became wiser 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 7£ 

than his teachers. He was a king, and had the cares 
of the nation to occupy his mind; he was a man of 
war, and had that art to study. But, O the privilege 
of the Christian! He goes through every part, even 
of his earthly way, leaning upon his God. David could 
say even of war, u The Lord teaches my hands to war, 
and my fingers to fight. The Lord subdues the people 
under me." In temporals and spirituals, He is my 
Shield, my Strength, my Buckler, my strong Tower. 
u I shall not fear what man can do unto me. In Judah's 
land God is well known : there he breaks the spear, the 
bow, and the battle." He ascribes all to God. We hear 
nothing of his own wisdom, his disciplined armies, his 
order of battle, and warlike powers ; though attention 
to all these was his duty, and not neglected by him. He 
devoted all his natural talents to God ; he exercised 
them diligently, but still he knew and acted under the 
influence of that knowledge, that, " unless the Lord 
build the house, the builders lose their pains ; unless the 
Lord keep the city, the watchmen watch in vain." He, 
as well as worldly men, chose the means best adapted 
to the end proposed. Let natural men assert, and let 
it be admitted, that David knew better how to use a 
sling and a stone, than mail, helmet, and sword ; there- 
fore he chose them. But follow David until he meet 
the hostile band. Do we hear a word of his art as a 
slinger, as a marksman ? Though we may suppose he 
was expert at both. " Thou comest to me with a sword, 
a spear, and shield ; but I come in the name of the Lord 
of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast 
defied; and this assembly shall know, that the Lord 
saveth not with sword and spear ; (these are not essen- 
tial ;) for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give it into 
our hands." 

E 4 



SO LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

How comfortably might Christians go through life, 
did they walk with God in their daily business and 
occupations, carefully observing the leadings of Provi- 
dence, cautiously avoiding either running before, or 
running behind ; but in all things making their request 
known to God; at all times committing their way to 
him, being careful about nothing, but to use with dili- 
gence the means of grace, and also the means oi 
acquiring the good things of life, leaving the issues of 
both to God, in the full assurance that what is good 
the Lord will give! " Trust in the Lord and do good; so 
shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.' 
In spirituals and temporals, u the hand of the diligent 
maketh rich. Be ye diligent in business, fervent in 
spirit, serving the Lord." 

Lord, teach me thy law graciously, in all its perfection, 
its extent, order, beauty, and harmony ; and grant me all 
the assistance provided to enable a lost, depraved, cor- 
rupted child of Adam, to set out in thy good ways, to go 
forward, and to finish in the same course; and all the 
consolation, joy, and peace, which thou hast provided to 
be enjoyed in a measure even here, and to be perfected 
in the world to come. Amen. 



Hose A, chap. xiv. " O Israel, return unto the Lord, 
for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity." Yes, fallen, O 
how fallen, from God the only good, the Fountain of 
happiness ! Lost his image, which was the glory of man 
in Paradise! Lost that sweet complacency and delight 
in his perfections and attributes, which innocence en- 
joyed. Lost all rectitude of reason and judgment! 
No longer can we judge of excellence, no longer love 
what God loves. Our wills are no longer straight with 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. SI 

his will, but crooked, opposing God, and choosing evil 
instead of good. " Oh Israel ! thou hast destroyed 
thyself, but in me is thy help." Amen, says my soul, in 
thee is my help. 



New-York, October 3, 1793. 

Isaiah, xliv. 5. " One shall say, I am the Lord's, and 
another shall call himself by the name of Jacob ; and 
another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and 
surname himself by the name of Israel. " 

I, as one, subscribe to the truth of all that God has 
said : I, as one, subscribe my assent to all that he has 
done. I set my Amen to his well-ordered covenant, 
" well ordered in all things, and sure." And this is the 
covenant, even Christ, the sum and substance ; for he 
hath given him to be a covenant of the people. The 
whole and every part of it is God's covenant. To me 
it must be a testament, the New Testament in Christ's 
blood. To me it must be a covenant of gifts and pro-* 
mises. I can be of no party, having nothing to give ;: 
nothing with which to covenant. He hath said, '*= Thou 
hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thy help," 

Amen. Be my help, my deliverer ! 

" Look unto me, all ye ends of the earth, and be saved ; 
for I am God, and there is none else." I do look unto 
thee alone for salvation. Thou art God, there is none 
else ; besides thee there is no Saviour. 

" I will pour water on the thirsty, and floods on the 
parched, ground. I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, 
and my blessing upon thy offspring." Amen. I yield 
my soul into thy hand, dry and parched, to receive thy 
showers of reviving, quickening, fructifying grace 

E 5 



82 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

New-York, February 10, 1794. 

This day I have a letter from my poor wanderer. 
It is more than a year since I heard of him. Accept 
of my thanks, my good and gracious Lord. I feared 
that his cup had heen full, and that he had heen called 
out of the world with all his sins on his oavii head ; for 
I have no tidings of his turning from his sinful courses, 
or fleeing from the wrath to come, by taking hold of the 
hope set before him. 

I bless thee, O I bless thee, for thy sparing mercy, 
thy long-suffering, thy patience, thy forbearance. Yea, 
even to him, thou hast been more than all this. Thou 
hast been his Preserver, his Provider: thou hast watched 
over him in many imminent dangers, in the great deeps, 
in burning and in frozen climes. 

Thou hast followed him with thy preserving mercy 
and temporal bounty. He is still in the land of the 
living, and among those who are called to look unto 
thee and live. Still thou feedest my hopes of better 
things for him. Thou sufferest my prayers to lie on 
the table of thy covenant. I will trust, I will hope, I 
will believe, that, in an accepted time, thou wilt hear 
me, and in a day of thy power thou wilt bow his stub- 
born will, and lay him an humble suppliant at thy feet. 
I trust thou wilt bring this poor prodigal to himself, and 
turn his steps towards his Father's house. See how he 
feeds with the swine upon husks, and even these not his 
own. "O turn his thoughts to his " Father's house, where 
there is bread enough, and to spare." 

u Lord, remember thy gracious word, on which thou 
hast caused me to hope," and which has ever been my 
comfort in the time of my affliction, and in my straits 
my only relief. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 83 

He is again launched into thy great ocean. Lord, 
he is far from every friend, and from every means of 
grace, and, for any thing I know, far from thee by 
wicked works ; under thy curse, and hateful in thy 
sight ; but thou, God, seest him. Means are not neces- 
sary, if thou wiliest to work without. Thou canst find 
an avenue to his heart at once, dead as he is, vile as he 
is, guilty as he is, far from the help of man, and in the 
most unlikely situation to receive the help of God; I 
know that all these hinderances, all these mountains, 
shall melt as wax at thy presence. 

Lord, I believe, thou knowest I believe, that, if thou 
but speak the word, this dead soul shall live ; this vile, 
this guilty soul shall be cleansed, shall be renewed, arid 
my son be changed to an humble, thankful, genuine 
child of God, through the cleansing blood of atonement, 
through the imputation of the Redeemer's righteousness, 
and the implantation of thy Spirit. I can do nothing 
for him, but thou canst do all this. I wait for it, Lord, 
I wait for thy salvation. Lord, let there be " joy in 
Heaven over this one sinner repenting/' I roll him on 
thee, I trust in thy sovereign, free, unmerited mercy in 
Christ. Amen. 



New-York, October 1, 1794. 

" Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath 
dealt bountifully with thee." 

" Blessed be the Lord, for he hath showed me his 
marvellous loving-kindness in a strong city" — Christ, the 
city of Refuge. 

Thou hast given me my heart's desire, and hast not 
withholden the request of my lips. " One thing have I 
desired of the Lord," and through life sought after, for 

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84 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

myself, and the children whom thou hast given me ; 
" that all the days of our lives, we might dwell in the 
house of the Lord," behold his beauty, and inquire in his 
holy temple, that in the time of trouble he would hide us 
in his pavilion, in the secret of his tabernacle, and set our 
feet upon a rock. 

O thou incarnate God ; thou blessed Temple, not 
made with hands ; thou blessed Pavilion, in which thy 
people hide in the time of trouble, and are safe ; thou 
Rock of ages, on which we build our hopes for time 
and eternity, and defy the assaults of sin, Satan, and 
the world ! Thou, Jehovah Jesus, art all these to thy 
people. Thou broughtest them " from a fearful pit, and 
from the miry clay : thou settest their feet upon this spi- 
ritual rock, and establishest their goings : thou puttest a 
new song in their mouths, even praise unto their God." 
Many have seen it, and sung it ; many now see and 
sing it : many shall see and sing it, and trust in the 
Lord. They find in thee all that is expressive of life ; 
all that is expressive of safety ; all that is expressive of 
comfort ; all that is expressive of happiness. 

" O how many are thy wonderful works which thou 
hast done ; and thy thoughts which are to us ward, they 
cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee ; if I would 
declare and speak of them, they are more than can be 
numbered." Thou, thy blessed self, art the sum and 
substance of every good to man. All this I know ; all 
this have I at different times experienced ; and yet my 
heart is heavy, my spirits depressed. There is no cause ; 
thy very afflictive providences have met my wishes, and 
been so many answers to my prayers. 

Thou Husband of the widow, Thou Father of the 
fatherless ; how fully, how manifestly hast thou fulfilled 
these relations to thy worthless servant ! 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. $5 

Thou, in my early widowhood, calledst upon me to 
" leave my fatherless children on thee," annexing the 
promise that u thou wouldst save them alive." 

Thou didst put it into my heart to plead the promise 
in a spiritual sense ; to ask, to hope, to wait for, the 
new birth, the life which Christ died to purchase, and 
lives to bestow. 

In three of these fatherless, I have seen thy work. 
Long did the grain of mustard-seed lie buried among 
the weeds of worldly- mindedness ; long were my hopes 
and fears alternated ; but now the blessed discipline of 
the covenant has been exercised ; I have witnessed it, 
I have felt it ; suffered the rod with them and for 
them, but waited for the fruits in hope ; and, glory to 
thee, dear Husband and Father, I have not waited in 
vain. Thou hast written vanity, and opened our eyes 
to read vanity, written on every earthly enjoyment, 
except so far as thou art enjoyed in them. Thou hast 
enabled not only thine aged servant, but thy young 
ones, to put a blank into thy hands, and to say, Choose, 
thou for us. We take hold of thy covenant, and choose 
it for our portion. Is not this, O Lord, the full amount 
of my desires ? Thou wilt finish the work in thy own 
time, and by means of thy appointing. Amen. Lord, 
do as thou hast said. 



October 4, 1795. 
Why, O why, is my spirit still depressed ? Why 
these sobs ? Father, forgive. u Jesus wept." I weep* 
but acquiesce. This day two months, the Lord de- 
livered my Jessie, his Jessie, from a body of sin and 
death, finished the good work he had begun, perfected 
what concerned her, trimmed her lamp, and carried 



86 LIFE AND WRITINGS OP 

her triumphing through " the valley of the shadow of 
death." She overcame through the blood of the Lamb. 

I rejoiced in the Lord's work, and was thankful that 
the one, the only thing, I had asked for her was now 
completed. I saw her delivered from much corruption 
within, from strong and peculiar temptation without. 
I had seen her often staggering, sometimes falling, 
under the rod ; I had heard her earnestly wish for deli- 
verance from sin ; and when death approached, she was 
more than satisfied ; said she had been a great sinner, 
but she had a great Saviour ; praised him, and thanked 
him for all his dealings with her : for hedging her in, 
for chastising her ; and even prayed that sin and cor- 
ruption might be destroyed, if the body should be dis- 
solved to effect it. The Lord fulfilled her desire, and 
I may add, mine. He lifted upon her the light of his 
countenance ; revived her languid graces ; increased 
her faith and hope ; loosed her from earthly concerns ; 
and made her rejoice in the stability of his covenant, 
and to sing, ' All is well, all is well, good is the will 
of the Lord.' I did rejoice, I do rejoice; but, O Lord, 
thou knowest my frame ; she was my companion, my 
affectionate child ; my soul feels a want. O fill it up 
with more of thy presence, give yet more communica- 
tions of thyself. 

We are yet one in Christ our Head ; united in him ; 
and, although she shall not return unto me, I shall go 
to her, and then our communion will be more full, 
more delightful, as it will be perfectly free from sin. 
Christ shall be our bond of union, and we shall be fully 
under the influence of it. 

Let me then gird up the loins of my mind, and set 
forward to serve my day and generation, to finish my 
course. " The Lord will perfect what concerns me ; and, 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. S7 

when it shall please him, he will unclothe me, break 
down these prison walls, and admit me into the happy 
society of his redeemed and glorified members : then 
44 shall he wipe away all tears from my eyes," and I shall 
taste the joys which are at his right hand and be satis- 
fied for evermore. 



January 3, 1796. 

Philippians, iv. 4. " Rejoice in the Lord alway, and 
again I say rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto 
all men, the Lord is at hand. 

" Be careful for nothing, but in every thing, by prayer 
and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be 
made known unto God. And the peace of God, which 
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and 
minds through Christ Jesus." 

Christ Jesus ! What does not this name compre- 
hend ! He is mine, and all is mine. I do rejoice in 
the Lord, yea, more or less, I rejoice always. This 
heart of mine is sensible to every human affliction ; my 
tears flow often and fast : I weep for myself, and still 
more for others ; but in these very moments of heart- 
wringing bitterness, there is a secret joy, that Jesus is 
near: that he sees, knows, and pities. He is Jehovah 
as well as Jesus, and therefore, could have prevented 
the affliction under which I groan ; but, for my good, 
and the good of those near and dear to me, he suffered 
it or prepared it. The good of his people is connected 
with his glory, they cannot be separated : therefore, 
Father, glorify thy name : I rejoice, and will rejoice. 
The Lord can remove, and will remove, the affliction, 
the moment it has answered the gracious purpose for 
which it was sent. I would not wish it one moment 



SS LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

sooner. While it lies heavy, he is my Almighty Friend, 
my Rest, my Staff of support. 

u In time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion ; in 
the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me : he shall set 
me up upon a rock." Ps alm xxvii. 5. 

" The Lord is my Strength and my Shield ; my heart 
trusted in him, and I am helped ; therefore my heart 
greatly rejoiceth, with my song will I praise him," and in 
his strength, and by his grace, let "my moderation be 
known unto all men. ,, My "Lord is at hand," at hand to 
support, at hand to over-rule, at hand to deliver. There- 
fore I rejoice always. 

Blessed be God for the heart-easing, heart-soothing 
privilege, of " casting all my cares upon him," and for the 
blessed assurance, that " he careth for me" and mine ; 
that he allows, invites, yea, commands me to u be careful 
for nothing, but in all things, by prayer and supplication 
with thanksgiving, to let my request be made known unto 
him," who is man and touched with the feeling of our 
infirmities ; (Jesus wept ;) and God, the Almighty God, 
to support, over-rule, deliver. Therefore, my heart 
rejoiceth always. 



May 23, 1796. 
This is the anniversary of my dear Jessie's birth, no 
more to call us together here ; but I yet remember it, 
as a day in which our God was merciful to me, and 
made me the mother of an heir of salvation. I bless, 
I praise, my covenant God, who enabled me to dedi- 
cate her to him before she was born, and to ask only 
one thing for her as for myself, even an interest in his 
great salvation ; leaving it to him to order the means* 
time, and manner, as of her natural birth, and ripening 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 89 

age, so of her spiritual birth and ripening for glory ; he 
accepted the charge, and he has finished the work, to 
his own glory, to her eternal happiness, and to my joy 
and comfort. I have witnessed remaining corruption 
fighting hard against her, and bringing her again and 
again into captivity " to the law of sin and death, 
warring against her." I have seen the rod of God lie 
heavy upon her, according to the tenor of the covenant? 
when she forsook "his laws, and went astray :" when 
she walked not in his judgments, but wandered from 
his way, " he visited her faults with rods, and her sins 
with chastisements, but his loving-kindness he never took 
from her," (though he often hid it,) nor altered the word 
which he had spoken, " that he never would leave her, 
never forsake her ;" that in due time he would "deliver 
her from all her enemies. " I perceived her desires to be 
delivered from the world, and the body, and taken home 
to the bosom of her God ; since that appeared at times, 
the only way she could be delivered from sin. I heard 
her lament her unfruitfulness, her unsteadiness : I heard 
her exclaim, ' Oh, what a sinner ! what a great sinner !' 
and ' Oh, what a Saviour ! Oh the goodness of God in 
hedging me in, and saving me from myself;' "his 
covenant stands" fast, it is established, it is sure.' I 
beheld a God pardoning sin, yet taking vengeance on 
inventions. I saw the sinner, after being sixteen years in 
the school of Christ, (taught by his ministers, and most 
effectually by his rod,) taking shelter in the " city of 
refuge," in the atonement of God's providing, and in a 
M surety righteousness," and finishing her struggles with 
1 All is well !' my heart echoed, and does echo, and will 
to all eternity, ; All is well.' Glory to God; sing not 
unto her, not unto me, not unto any creature, but "to 
God be the glory," that she is now delivered from " a 



90 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

body of sin and death, and made meet to be a partaker 
with the saints in light." HALLELUJAH. 



June, 1796. 

Psalm cxxii. " I was glad when they said unto me, 
Let us go into the house of the Lord." 

44 The house of the Lord — whither the tribes go up, the 
tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give 
thanks unto the name of the Lord," to seek his face, to 
learn his will, to taste his love, to behold his glory, to 
enjoy God as their own God, and reconciled Father. 

Lord ! let my heart be warmed more towards thy 
house ; I have sought and found thee in thy sanctuary, 
read thy providences, and been taught thy will : I have 
tasted thy love, and beheld thy glory ; I have enjoyed 
thy presence as my own reconciled Father in Christ 
Jesus ; I have been satisfied with thy goodness, as with 
marrow and fatness ; and yet how cold and languid, at 
times how little desire to return, how small my expecta- 
tions, how wandering my imagination ? How do I sit 
before thee as thy people, and my heart with the fool's 
eyes at the end of the earth ! Lord, I should blush and 
be ashamed, were a fellow mortal to see my heart at 
times. I may hide mine eyes from viewing vanity, but 
the evil lies within. O Lord, thou knowest the cause ; 
after all I have heard, seen, tasted, and handled of the 
word of life, I am still of myself an empty vessel, unable, 
to speak a good word, or think a good thought. Great 
are thy tender mercies, O Lord, " Quicken me according 
to thy word ; turn thou away mine eyes from beholding 
vanity, and quicken me in thy way ; then shall I run in 
the way of thy commandments, when thou hast enlarged 
my heart." 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 91 

The house of God — the Owner, the Builder, and Maker 
is God, and it is his peculiar treasure. Christ is the 
foundation, and " chief corner-stone ;" and his house are 
we, built upon him, cemented together a spiritual build- 
ing ; the foundation cannot fail, the corner-stone can 
never give way ; neither can we fell to pieces, or be 
separated from him. 

The house of God — " Jerusalem, Zion, the rest of God, 
where he delights to dwell," where he will for ever stay ; 
the house of God, the church, yea, the body of Christ : 
Christ the Head, his people the church his members, 
whose life is in him, and derived from him ; and because 
he lives, we shall live also. Lord, enlarge my under- 
standing, to comprehend more and more " of the height, 
and depth, length and breadth, of the love of Christ, 
which passeth all understanding. Open mine eyes to 
behold wondrous things in thy law," and Gospel. I am 
as yet but a babe. Glory to God that I am what I am ; 
a babe in Christ. I shall be nourished with life and 
strength from my divine Head ; educated and nurtured by 
the blessings of the new covenant. I shall arrive at the 
perfection of stature appointed ; " and stand in my lot at 
the latter day." Amen. 



May IS, 1796. 
Psalm Ixxxix. 30. " If his children forsake my laws, 
and walk not in my judgments ; if they break my statutes, 
and keep not my commandments : then will I visit their 
transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes : 
nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take 
from them ; nor suffer my faithfulness to fail ; my cove- 
nant will I k not break, nor alter the thing that is gone 



92 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

out of my lips/' Amen. Blessed promise! It is "a 
well-ordered covenant, and it is sure." Of all the pro- 
vision of the covenant, this has been to my soul among 
the most comfortable. Thanks be to God for the dis- 
cipline of the covenant ; often has it been administered. 
Thou knowest, and I know in part, how necessarily : 
although I shall not know, nor understand all, until that 
blessed rod shall have perfected its correction, and shall 
never more be lifted up. 

Many ups and downs has thy servant experienced in 
this vale of tears ; many tears have watered these now 
aged cheeks ; in a variety of ways hast thou stricken, 
and at times stripe has followed stripe, but mercy and 
love accompanied every one of them. I bless thee, I 
praise thee, that I have seldom received a stripe but I 
had with it a token of love. Sin was imbittered, a 
Saviour endeared, and grace gi\en " to kiss the rod," and 
cleave to him " that had appointed it." And now I can 
read in legible characters, where in many instances thy 
checks met my wandering steps, stopt me short of huge 
precipices, and preserved me from destroying even my 
worldly comfort. In some instances (I thank thee they 
have not been many,) thou hast been pleased to let me 
alone, to let me pursue my own ways : ways so wise in 
my own eyes, that I have either not sought counsel at 
all, or sought it, as Balaam did, with my heart set on 
my own will. 

In some cases, thou hast let me " eat of the fruit of my 
own doings," and let me weary myself in my own way, 
until I found it not only " vanity and vexation of spirit," 
but sometimes a labyrinth from which I could find no 
escape: then did I cry unto the Lord; then did I 
remember my backslidings : then did J seek unto the 
cleansing fountain, and to the appointed Mediator, the 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 93 

Maker up of the breach ; then did I experience afresh the 
Lord's power to save. 

In how many instances has he given a sudden turn to 
providences, which have been made means of my deliver- 
ance ; not only so, .but brought good out of my evil, so 
that I have been made to wonder, and to say, " Surely 
this is the finger of God." 

I destroyed myself, but in thee is my help found. 
O let these wanderings end: fix it deep on my mind, 
that in the Lord only have I wisdom as w ell as strength : 
that "it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." 
When shall I learn to live simply on Christ, by the light 
of his pure unerring word, and the Spirit coinciding ; 
and have done with these carnal reasonings, the wis- 
dom of men ! " Search me, O Lord, and know my heart ; 
try me, and know my thoughts ; and see if there be any 
wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." 
Amen. 



August 4, 1796, 
A DAY TO BE REMEMBERED! 

Rose at four, not to mourn : no, but to repeat my 
grateful thanks to my covenant God, for the work he 
finished this day^ last year, in delivering my weak, 
feeble, tossed, and tried Jessie, " from a body of sin and 
death," and giving her "the victory through Jesus Christ, 
who loved her, and gave himself for her." To thee she 
was dedicated ere she saw the light ; to thee a thou- 
sand times I repeated the dedication, begging that thou 
mightest bring her within " the bond of thy covenant :" 
this was the sum and substance of all my askings for 
her, and all of them. I witnessed the time of her 
second birth, saw the tears of conviction and remorse. 



04t LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

I witnessed thy loosing of her bands, and tuning of 
her heart and tongue to praise redeeming love. I wit- 
nessed the teaching of thy Spirit, and the enlightening 
of her eyes, and the taste thou gavest her of thy salva- 
tion ; I thought her " mountain stood strong," and she 
would not be easily " moved :" but who can tell the 
deceitfulness of the human heart ? Too soon did we all 
$ turn aside like a deceitful bow," forsook " the fountain 
of living waters, and hewed out broken cisterns that could 
hold no water." Glory to God for the discipline of the 
covenant, that he did not cast us off, but chastised and 
corrected. He repeated the discipline, stripe upon stripe ; 
I stood by and saw it : and though my heart melted at 
times, I said, ' She is in her Father's hand, let him do 
his pleasure.' I too was unfaithful to her, thou knowest 
and often entered into the same vanity of mind which 
stifled the love of God in our hearts, instead of 
guarding her, and warning her : still, still, the Shep- 
herd of Israel followed both, and with the precious rod 
retored both, time after time, till it pleased thee to 
finish her warfare, and deliver her from the body, and 
from sin. Lord, I thank thee for all the circumstances, 
for the privilege of attending her in her warfare, for 
the cheerfulness of her spirits, for the rich support we 
all experienced, for the view we all had of thy faith- 
fulness and fatherly dealing, and for her last words, 
1 All is well/ Every thing thou doest is well, and this 
was peculiarly well. I resigned her to thee with joy 
and thankfulness, and I still acquiesce. Her thou hast 
taken, me thou hast left, to be yet exercised with further 
discipline. It is well — u thy will be done." Help me 
to profit by ©very gang ! Let sin be mortified, and my 
soul purified ; enlarge my heart, to run the ways of 
thy commandments. Now may " I lay aside every 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 95 

weight,'' and that vanity of mind which " doth so easily 
beset me," and hath been the secret spring of much 
backsliding, both to myself and to my children. Lord, 
destroy it. O let me now live to God, closely and 
consistently: down with my will, with self in every 
form ! Purify my motives, and let my whole heart, soul, 
body, substance, and influence in the world, be devoted to 
thee ! Empty me of every thing that is mine own, and 
let " Christ live in me, the hope of glory;" and let the 
glory of thy workmanship, in my soul, redound to thee, 
and thee alone! Amen. 



August 13, 1796. 

Colossi am s, ii. 6. " As ye have received Christ Jesus 
the Lord, so walk ye in him, rooted and built up in him, 
and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, 
abounding therein with thanksgiving." 

O Lord, this is what I pant after ! I would fain have 
done with wandering. Lord, thou knowest ; for the work 
is thine. I have received the Lord Jesus as thy gift to a 
lost world, as thy gift to me, an individual of that world ; 
as having made peace by the blood of the cross ; I 
account it a faithful saying, worthy of all acceptation, 
that, " Christ came into the world to save sinners, of 
whom I am chief." I have received thee as the Lord my 
righteousness, crediting thine own word, " Christ is the 
end of the law for righteousness," and that " there is no 
condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." I have 
received thee as " the covenant given of the people." In 
all the relations by which thou art held out to me in this 
Bible, so far as I know, or understand, I have received 
thee. I have no hope in myself, no trust in myself, nor 
any views of communication from God of any kind, but 



96 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

through the one " Mediator between God and man, the 
man Christ Jesus." 

O my God, what is my life, what is my happiness, but 
a continual receiving ! Thou art the " Bread of Life," 
that must keep alive the living principle in my soul. In 
thee " dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." 
Thy people are complete in thee ; thou art their Head, 
they are thy body, and by joints and bands have nourish- 
ment ministered to them, and are knit together, and 
increase with the increase of God. 

This, O this, is what my soul pants after, — closer 
and more intimate union and communion. I would be 
transformed into thine image ; I would be thy temple ; 
I would have thee live in me ; walk in me ; make me one 
with thee: I would be delivered from self-will, self- 
wisdom, self-seeking ; I would be delivered from that 
philosophy, and that vain deceit which spoils souls, and 
leads them off from their Head. Lord, enable me con- 
tinually to receive ; then, and not till then, shall I cease 
to wander, shall u run and not be weary, walk and not 
faint ;" then shall I run in the way of thy command- 
ments," and no longer turn aside to crooked ways. Then 
shall I eat and drink, work and recreate myself, all to 
thy glory. Lord, send thy Spirit into my heart, that 
he may continually " take of the things of Christ, and 
show them unto me ;" that I may grow and be no longer 
a babe, but arrive at the " fullness of stature, in Christ 
Jesus," and more steadily, more purely, more zealously, 
and more humbly live to God, and glorify him in the 
world. Amen. 



April 14, 1797. 
Eternity seems very near, I have often thought 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 97 

so, without any visible cause. Well, it will come ; a 
few more rolling years, months, w 7 eeks, or days, will 
assuredly land me on Canaan's happy shore. Then 
shall I know and enjoy what ear hath not heard, eye 
seen, nor heart conceived, even the blessedness that is 
at God's right hand. I have desired, although I know 
not that I have asked, to glorify God on my death- 
bed, and to leave my testimony at the threshold of 
eternity, that not one word of all that my God has pro- 
mised has failed. He has been, O what has he not 
been! In all my trials, temptations, and wanderings, 
he has been all that the well-ordered covenant has said. 
Let this Bible tell, what God in Christ, by his Spirit 
and his providence has been to me ; and let the same 
Bible say, what he will be to me, " when flesh and heart 
fail ;" yea, when "the place that now knows^ me, shall 
know me no more." Perhaps, when the messenger does 
come, I shall not know him, but depart in silence. Weil? 
as the Lord wills, he knows best how to glorify himself. 
Jesus shall trim my lamp, and perfect his image on my 
soul, sensible or insensible. I shall enter into his pre- 
sence, washed in his blood, clothed in his righteousness, 
and my sanctification perfected. " I shall see him as he 
is, and be like him." 

Mourn not, my children, but rejoice; "gird up the 
loins of your mind," and set forward on your heavenly 
journey through this wilderness. So far as I have fol- 
lowed Christ, so far follow my example ; still living on 
Christ, depending on him for all that is promised in 
the well-ordered covenant. Stumble not into the world, 
except when duty calls ; at best, it is a deadly weight, 
- a great hinderance to spiritual-mindedness, and, as far 
as it gets footing in your heart, it will mar both your 
progress and your comfort. Lord, feed my children 

F 



98 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

constantly with " thy flesh and thy blood," that they may 
never hunger nor thirst for this -world, but grow in the 
divine life, and in the joy and comfort of the Holy 
Ghost. Amen. 



October 20, 1797. 

How condescending is our covenant God! All we 
have, or enjoy, is from his hand ; he gave us our being ; 
our lives, although forfeited a thousand times, have 
been preserved. "Our bread has been given us, and 
our water has been sure;" and not only these necessaries, 
but many comforts, and good temporal things, have 
fallen to our lot; " thou hast furnished our table;" thou 
has provided medicines and cordials when sick. Lord, 
I thank thee for all these mercies ; but, above all, that 
we can call thee our reconciled Father ; that we have 
them not as the world have them, who are far from 
thee, and haa r e no portion among thy children, nor 
interest in thy well-ordered covenant ; but that we have 
them as thy redeemed, as part of covenant provision, 
and with a covenant blessing, and among the "all things" 
that work together for our good. Lord, enable us to be 
rich in good works. How condescending, that thou 
acceptest a part of thine own as free-will offerings, and 
hast annexed promised blessings to those " who consider 
the poor;" hast said, " He who giveth to the poor lendeth 
to the Lord !" 

I thank thee, that thou hast laid to hand a suffi- 
ciency, to enable me and mine " to eat our own bread ;" 
even that, which, according to the regulations of so- 
ciety, men call our own. Thou only hast a right to 
call it not so, for we are thine, and all that thou hast 
given us ; but of thy free bounty and kind providence, 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 99 

thou hast enabled us " to provide things honest and of 
good report in the sight of all men," and to give a portion 
to them who need. 

I trust, thy Spirit has directed my judgment in the 
determination I have taken, to set apart from time to 
time, this portion, according as thou prosperest us in 
business, and preservest us in health and ability to pursue 
it. I bless thee for indulgent, encouraging appearancesi 
that, since I began the practice, thou hast added to my 
stock, and that which I have given has never straitened, 
but thou hast prospered more and more. My poor purse 
has never been empty when called for, neither has my 
family purse. Of thine own I give thee, and bless thy 
name for the privilege. 

Grant direction with respect to whom, and how much, 
to give. 



1797. 

"As ye have received the Lord Jesus, so walk in him, 
rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, 
as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanks- 
giving." 

Just so, and no other way, shall any poor corrupted 
creature attain holiness, in the very same manner that 
he received the Lord Jesus at first. He is the " Alpha 
and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and 
the Ending." 

O Lord, my Saviour, my complete Saviour, and in 
whom 1 am complete ; I received thee as my expiatory 
sacrifice, by whom atonement was made for my sins ; 
by whom I am reconciled to God, and God to me. I 
was then delivered from the power of darkness, and 
translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son, and 

F2 



100 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

have redemption through his blood, even the forgive- 
ness of sins. This same blood must cleanse my daily 
spots, my very best services ; this same blood must 
cleanse my conscience daily, and give me confidence 
in God, as my reconciled Father. By this same peace- 
speaking blood, I daily present myself in his presence, 
and know that he sees no iniquity in me, so as to 
condemn me. 

O Lord, I received thee as my justifying righteous- 
ness, disclaiming all confidence in my own works. I 
placed my sole dependance upon an imputed righte- 
ousness ; that righteousness, wrought out by thee as 
my Surety, in thy holy meritorious life and death ; believ- 
ing thy testimony, " that the wages of sin is death, 
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ 
our Lord." Just so must I go on, trusting in, resting 
upon, rejoicing in, the Lord my Righteousness. " By 
one man's offence, many were made sinners, so by the 
obedience of one shall many (and I among others) be made 
righteous. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness ;" 
therefore I walk at liberty, free from all dread of con- 
demnation : not as a slave ; not as a servant ; not as a 
hireling ; not as a probationer : but as a son and heir of 
God, to whom the inheritance is made sure. I have 
received the seal of the testament, ratified and made sure 
by the death of the testator. All the blessings contained 
in this Bible, the records of the well-ordered covenant 
are mine: and (O glorious truth!) the testator died to 
ratify and ensure this testament ; but he lives again the 
glorious Executor. 

O Lord, I received thee as my King ; depending 
upon promised strength, I swore allegiance to thee, 
and to thy government. Just so, my dear sovereign 
Master, must I go on ; rejoicing in its privileges, sub- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 101 



5 



jecting myself cheerfully to its restrictions ; studyin 
with care its positive commands, and setting myself to 
obey ; submitting with meekness to its discipline ; claim- 
ing thy kingly power to subdue the corruptions of my 
heart, to defend from foes within and foes without ; and, 
when thou callest me to fight, to arm me for battle, and, 
lead me on to victory. 

I received thee as my divine Saviour, as " the Cove- 
nant of the people ;" the Covenant arranged, ratified, 
and fulfilled ; to me a Covenant of free gift. Receiv- 
ing thee, I received all the promises in their fullest 
extent, as legally made over, and confirmed to me, by the 
irrevocable gift of Deity ; and in thee, as my Saviour, 
dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. In him 
it dwelleth for his people, his ransomed ; dwelleth in 
him as our Head : we are united to him, one with him, 
as he "and the Father are one;" and being one with 
him, we are complete in him. He is the Head, we 
the members ; he is the Vine, we the branches ; he 
is the Foundation, and " Chief Corner Stone," we the 
building. Thus let us walk in him ; rooted and built up 
in him; filled with the knowledge of his will, in all 
wisdom and spiritual understanding ; walking worthy 
of the Lord, unto all pleasing — being fruitful in every 
good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God : 
strengthened with all might, according to his glorious 
power: unto all patience, and long-suffering, with joyful - 
ness ; for it is he " who worketh in us, both to will and to 
do of his good pleasure;" and, although " of ourselves 
we can do nothing," yet " we can do all things through 
Christ strengthening us;" and he has promised, that, 
" as our day, so shall our strength be." 

It is well, Lord, it is well. Thou art mine, and I 
am thine-; thou art mine with all thy fullness ; what can 

F 3 



102 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

I want besides ? Nothing, Lord. Thou hast given me 
" the heritage of those that fear thy name :" I am satis- 
fied with my portion, ibnen. 

Be my God, and the God of my seed, and glorify thy 
name in us. 



1797. 

Psalm cxix. " Remove far from me vanity and lies." 

Every deviation from rectitude and truth, is sin. Who 
that knows any thing of the corruption of the human 
heart, and its strange tendency to stray, to err; jea, 
even to pervert the plainest, simplest, and most obvious 
truths ; but must see the propriety of his joining the 
Psalmist, and crying out, " Lord, remove far from me the 
way of lies." 

The way of lies respects our judgment and senti- 
ments ; it respects our motives of action ; and it respects 
our conduct. 

As it respects our judgment : how does every species 
of error abound ! Even the serious and earnest seekers 
of truth differ in many things, which although they 
may not mar their final salvation, mar their progress in 
knowledge, in holiness, and in comfort. ' Lord, remove 
far from us the way of lies/ Lead us to the pure, 
unmixed, unerring word of truth, as it respects our 
sentiments, and as it respects our conduct. O how 
many deceive themselves by resting on a speculative 
knowledge of the truth, or what they esteem such, while 
their hearts remain unaffected, their tempers imsanc- 
tified and their lives unfruitful! Passionate, stubborn, 
relentless, unmerciful, implacable tempers, indulged and 
unmodified, must be a way of lies. "Learn of me," 
says the Saviour, " for I am meek and lowly ; and 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 103 

ye shall find rest to your souls. The meek will he teach 
his way, the meek will he guide in judgment." 

" Remove far from me the way of lies, and teach me 
thy law graciously." 

" Teach me thy law graciously," not the ceremonial and 
the moral law alone, but the whole of God's revealed 
will. The Psalmist knew the law ceremonial and moral, 
but he wants more and more of the teaching of the 
Spirit of God. "He," the Spirit of truth, "shall take 
of mine and show it unto you." The word of God is 
ever the same ; it contains the whole truth, and no- 
thing but the truth ; every thing necessary to safety, 
to holiness, and happiness. But O the difference between 
him who reads with a mind enlightened by the Spirit 
of God, and him who reads with no other assistance 
than his own poor, blinded, darkened reason. " Teach 
me then thy law graciously. I will praise thee with 
uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy judg- 
ments. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold 
wondrous things out of thy law." The Psalmist thirsted 
after more and more extensive views of the word of 
God : and, still as his views were enlarged, he desired 
more. Verse 64. M The earth is full of thy mercy :" this 
was one lesson; but still he cries, "Teach me thy 
statutes ; thou hast dealt bountifully with me, O Lord, 
according to thy word :" still he cries, " Teach me good 
judgment and knowledge. It is good for me that I have 
been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes." 



1797. 
I loye to feel the kindlings of repentance, self-loath- 
ing under a sense of ingratitude ; a heart melting with 
the view of pardoning grace. I love to feel the sprink- 
le 4 



104 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

ling of my Redeemer's blood on my conscience, drawing 
forth the tears of joy and gratitude in the view of a free 
pardon. I love to dwell on the seal of reconciliation; 
while my heart, glowing with gratitude, sinks into the 
arms of my redeeming Lord, in full confidence of his love 
and my safety for ever. I love to feel longings after 
closer communion, after more conformity to his image, 
and more usefulness to my fellow- members of the body of 
Christ, and to all his creatures. I love to feel deeply 
interested in the success of the Gospel, in the declarative 
glory of Jehovah, as manifested in his works of creation 
a:id providence, but chiefly in the super-excellent work of 
redemption : for " thou hast magnified thy word above 
all thy great name." 



1798. 
4 Glows in the stars, and blossoms in the trees/ — 
There the poet must stop: thus far the natural mind? 
richly, endowed with human powers, can go, and trace 
a God of power, wisdom, and beneficence : O that thou 
hadst had eyes to discern what flesh and blood could 
never reach : that all these glories dwindle into tapers, 
when compared with Jehovah manifested in the face of 
Jesus Christ. Every star, every tree, all vegetating, 
bursting, blooming life, answer the end of their crea- 
tion, manifesting his glory as thou sayest; but can 
they tell thee, how this God can be just, and yet justify 
those who have rebelled against all his attributes, tor- 
turing even his fair and beautiful creation, and bringing 
it into subjection to their lusts, as thou hast well 
sung : murmuring at his dispensations in providence ; 
hardening themselves against his government ; pervert- 
ing every good to their own misery, and imbibing 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. lOc 



wretchedness from the means of blessedness ? Can all 
that thou hast sung bring into congeniality perfection 
of wickedness and perfection of holiness, perfection of 
wretchedness and perfection of happiness, perfect op- 
position in nature and principle ? Here thy song stops 
short. Thou seest the evils and the misery ; thou hast 
a glimpse of an opposite good ; but all means proposed 
by thee, ever have proved, and ever will prove, inade- 
quate to the attainment of it : heaven and earth must 
stand amazed at the declaration, that God would justify 
the ungodly ! 



1S00. 

O my God, I account it an honourable office that thou 
hast given me. I have received it from thee. Enable me 
to execute it to thee. 

Father of the fatherless ; Husband of the widow ; 
make me a fit instrument in thy hand of distributing thy 
bounty. Give discernment and judgment, tenderness? 
gentleness, humility, and love ; let love to thee be the 
principle of my every action ; lead me in the straight 
path of duty ; on the matter, the manner, the time, let 
11 holiness to the Lord" be written. I thank thee for this 
sum towards the relief of thy creatures ; be with us this 
evening, and direct our determination as to the division of 
it. Amen. 



1800. 

I have entered into my closet ; I have shut my door ; 
I would pray to my Father, who is in secret ; I woidd 
be shut up with my indwelling God : but see the crowds 
that follow ; see my treacherous heart that gives them 

T 5 



106 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

admission ; see my unsanctified imagination going off 
with them, leaving nothing before thee but a lifeless 
lump of clay. Help, Lord ! hast thou not redeemed 
me from vain imaginations? Lord, fill all thy temple: 
" Cast out the buyers and sellers :" thyself prepare 
room for close, undisturbed, holy conference. Grant that, 
according to the riches of thy glory, I may be strength- 
ened with might, by thy Spirit, in the inner man : dwell 
in my heart by faith, " that, rooted and grounded in love, 
I may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the 
breadth and length, height and depth, and to know 
the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, and be filled 
with all the fulness of God." Give unto thy r.edeemed 
servant the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Reveal 
thyself more and more in my soul ; enlighten the 
eyes of my understanding. Lord, improve, enlarge the 
powers of the new man. Spirit of the Father, and of 
the Son, do thine office ; " take of the things of Christ, 
and show them unto me ;" that I may know what is the 
hope of his calling, and what the " riches of the glory of 
his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding 
greatness of his power to us- ward who believe, according 
to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in 
Christ when he raised him from the dead, and set him at 
the Father's right hand, in the heavenly places, far above 
all principalities and powers, and might and dominion, 
and every name that is named, not only in this world, 
but also in that which is to come ; and hath put all things 
under his feet, and given him to be the head over all 
things, to the church, which is his body, the fullness of 
him that filleth all in all. Filled with all the fulness of 
God ! The fullness of Him, who filleth all in all !" O 
what things are these ! My soul stretches to compre- 
hend ; but, weak and feeble, cannot climb those glo- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 107 

rious, nor dig into these, to me, unsearchable depths. I 
can only spell after the language of the Holy Ghost, 
lisp out his own words. I dare not trust ray powers of 
comprehension to vary even the mode of expression. 

Well, it may be best for me ; the valley of humility 
maybe safest for me. " Father, glorify thy name!" Thou 
hast quickened me ; I am not what I was. Thou hast 
wrought in me a measure of faith and love ; thou hast 
sealed me with the Holy Spirit of promise ; thou hast 
given me the earnest of my inheritance ; the full pos- 
session shall come in thy appointed time. Wherefore, 
I will sing "unto Him that is able, and will do exceeding 
abundantly above all I can ask," think, or comprehend, 
according to that same mighty power that worketh in 
us. Unto him be glory in the church, by Christ Jesus, 
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. 

My covenant God, and the God of my house ! Thy 
Spirit saith, " If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God." 
Thou knowest the difficulty and danger of the present 
case. We are ignorant of hidden motions and principles ; 
of Satan's suggestions, of corresponding or discordant 
circumstances ; of future providences and events. Lord, 
give counsel. 

If information and advice be duty on the part of thy 
servant, determine on the side of duty, be the danger 
what it may ; and, O ! search, try, and deliver from every 
selfish, or hidden impure motive. Give prudence in the 
choice of words, in the time and manner, as well as 
purity in the matter. Save from injuring any of the 
individuals concerned. And, O ! prepare the heart of 
thy other servant, to receive this office of friendship, 
with a proper degree of confidence. Save from unjust 
suspicions, that it may be taken as meant in love, in 
Christian love and friendship. 



l0 8 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

thou, who knowest all hearts, all motives, all cir- 
cumstances, past, present, and future I Over-rule for 
the manifestation of truth; for the safety and good of 
thy servant ; and for the closer union of all concerned 
in the bands of Christian love, confidence and affec- 
tion ; and, as our covenant God, in whom we trust for 
guidance in every path of duty, glorify thy name. 

1 offer this prayer in faith, and wait an answer of 
peace from thy inward teaching, and manifestation in 
the course of thy providence. Amen. 



1800. 

Psalm lxxii. 17. "His name shall endure for ever; 
his name shall be continued as long as the sun, and men 
only shall be blessed in him. All nations shall call him 
blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, 
who alone doeth wondrous things, and blessed be his 
glorious name for ever ; and let the whole earth be filled 
with his glory. Amen, and Amen." 

Again, have I and my children been fed with 
Christ's flesh and his blood, at his table. " Glorious 
things are said of thee, thou city of our God ;" and rich 
the provision of the house of our God ; wonderful the 
scheme, that hath made sinful, guilty, rebel sinners, 
the citizens of this holy city, inhabitants of this holy 
house. Mysterious truth ! The city itself, the house of 
God ; the temple of the Lord, in which he delighteth 
to dwell ! Closer, yet more mysterious, yet equally 
time, " his body, his flesh, and his bones !"' Closer still ; 
one Spirit with him ! As Mediator Emmanuel, he is the 
bond of union, whereby the guilty sons and daughters 
of Adam are made one with the Father, the Son, and 
the Holy Ghost. Wonderfully and fearfully are we 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 109 

made as creatures ; as a rational creature, who can under- 
stand and comprehend himself? How these members 
were- fashioned! How this spark of vital flame was 
breathed into the lifeless lump or atom ! Wonder-working 
Lord! Thou only knowest ; wonderful are ail the works 
of creation : but O, what are they to thy work of redemp- 
tion ! To bring worlds out of nothing, to bring light out 
of darkness, was thy easy work ; but to bring good out 
of evil ; this, this was the wonder ! Thousands and ten 
thousands of worlds were, and may yet be, created, 
without cost ! God says let it be, and it is ; but redemp- 
tion! O, who can tell the cost! Blessed Jesus! God 
manifested in the flesh ! Christ ! Babe of Bethlehem ! 
Man of Sorrows ! Victim on the cross ! Thou only canst 
tell — " Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who alone 
doeth wondrous things, and blessed be his glorious name 
for ever ;" whatever the cost, " it is finished !" He bowed 
his head, and said, "It is finished !" This finished 
work is the New Testament, ^yhich he bequeathed to 
his disciples " the same night in which he was betrayed." 
When he took bread, blessed it, brake it, gave it to his 
disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is my body, broken for 
you ; and took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to 
them, saying, Drink ye all of it ; for this is the New 
Testament in my blood, which is shed for many for the 
remission of sins." 

The new Testament ! O, who can tell the blessings 
and benefits contained in this Testament, this dying 
legacy of our dear Emmanuel, purchased and sealed 
with his blood ! WTiat is the amount of it ? W 7 hat the 
sum of blessings contained in it ? Behold, God is be- 
come our salvation. This is the amount. God him- 
self, God in Christ, reconciling us unto himself: by 
his mighty power, subduing the enmity that is in us : 



110 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

melting our flinty hearts ; drawing us with the cords 
of love ; creating us anew after his own image, which 
we had totally lost : uniting us to himself, even us, 
who were enmity itself, but now are become one 
with God, who is Love. This is the work we have 
this day been celebrating. A given, a born, a living, 
a suffering, dying, risen, ascended, glorified, reigning, 
Saviour ! the Lord of hosts, the King of kings, the 
Almighty God dwelling with men, dwelling in men, 
and feeding them with his own body and blood ! 
u Behold, God is become our salvation ; we will trust, 
and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is our strength 
and our song, he also is become our salvation ; therefore 
with joy will we draw water out of the wells of salvation." 
His attributes are the never-failing source, his ordi- 
nances the wells, of salvation. God himself is ours ; 
all that he is is ours to bless and to make us happy. 
Ten thousand springs issue from this blessed source, 
specified and particularized in his Bible, experienced 
and celebrated by his saints. Let us drink and be re- 
freshed, rejoice and praise ; for O, who can tell the 
amount of our riches, in having God for our portion! 
All things are ours ; we are Christ's, and Christ is 
God's. 



May 3, 1801. 

" Sing unto the Lord, for he hath done excellent 
things ; this is known in all the earth." 

Nearly six weeks have elapsed, since my children 
launched into God's ocean*. The Sabbath after, I 

* Mr. and Mrs. Bethune, and one of their children, sailed for 
Liverpool, in March 1801. 



3IRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. Ill 

requested the prayers of the churches for them, according 
to their own desire. The Lord is a prayer-hearing God ; 
he has answered, and will answer. 

The w r eather has been uncommonly tempestuous ; I 
read of many disasters in consequence. How it has 
fared, or does fare with my children, He who loves 
them knows. Their Saviour and their God, sitteth 
on the clouds, and directeth the storm ; they are his 
servants, shall accomplish his purposes, which all ter- 
minate in salvation to his people. My children are 
his ; the blessings of the everlasting Gospel shall pre- 
serve their souls in peace. Their God shall conduct 
them to their destined port, but that port may be 
heaven : and if it should, my soul, wilt thou grieve ? 
Dares t thou grieve ? No, my God ; if grace be in 
exercise when the news reaches me, I will say, as in 
former times, All is well ; " He hath done all things 
well." I renew my blank, noted in my exercise of Jan- 
uary 1, 1795. 



July 14, 1801. 
I have received letters from my children. What 
shall I render to the Lord for all his mercies, mercies 
temporal, mercies spiritual, mercies eternal, multiplied 
mercy ! God himself is become my salvation ; how 
unspeakable the blessing ! Though chastisement and 
affliction were the means of my correction, and sancti- 
fication, or the very vengeance taken on my inventions ; 
for I have been like treacherous Judah, and backsliding 
Israel, his name changeth not. " The Lord God is 
merciful and gracious, slow to anger, forgiving iniquity, 
transgression, and sin." O how has he magnified his 
name to me a backslider in heart and life ! How has he 



112 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

multiplied pardons, healed my backslidings, restored my 
soul, and filled me with joy and peace in believing ! not 
only so, but in this " vale of tears ;" this "land of 
drought, this waste howling wilnerness ; where man is 
born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward ;" my cup runs 
over with temporal blessings and enjoyments, all his 
creatures minister to my comfort, his daily providence 
adds much more. 

It is fifteen weeks since my children launched into 
God's ocean : many anxious hours of suspense have 
agitated my breast. The Lord knows that I tried to wait 
the manifestation of his will, with patience and resigna- 
tion ; and, to his praise I record it, even in the view of 
parting, 1 was not without comfort. 

Surely, surely, God is enough for me ; and, while he 
is my portion, and the portion of my children, I cannot 
be comfortless ; goodness and mercy will follow us :" 
whatever aspect providences may wear, the end shall be 
goodness and mercy- 



July 28, 1801. 

My dear pastor, Mr. M— , sailed for Britain. I thank 
thee, good and kind Shepherd of Israel, at all those 
providences which seemed small things at the time, that 
hedged me into that congregation ; for all the benefits 
and comforts I enjoyed under the ministry of thy aged 
servant, now before thy throne, and that thou preparedst 
thy young servant to fill his place, when the time of his 
departure came. 

I thank thee for all the endowments of our young 
pastor, of nature and grace. I thank thee, that thou 
hast kept him faithful to Him who has called him, and 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 113 

for the precious treasure thou hast put in that earthen 
vessel. 

Now, Lord, that thou hast called him to leave his 
family, and his flock, to travel to a foreign land in the 
service which thou requirest; go with him, prosper him, 
over-rule all his concerns, for thy glory, the good of his 
soul, of the church in general, and his own little flock in 
particular. Amen. Glorify thy name. 



November 22, 1801. 

Isabella S — is very ill, she appears to be in a 
stupor. Two physicians are attending, but " my eyes are 
to the Lord." She is his own, dedicated to him in 
baptism, in which we took hold of his covenant, a God 
in Christ for her, in particular, for ourselves and our 
children. 

I desire not to draw back, but the Lord strengthening 
me, to give up at his call. If it be his will to spare 
her, she is still his own to be done by, with, and for, 
as his infinite wisdom may see fit, for his own glory, 
and her eternal interest. If he is about to remove her 
out of the world, she is his own; out of the mouth of 
this babe will he perfect praise ; with that company of 
little children, of whom is the kingdom of heaven, she 
shall join in the song of Moses and the Lamb, ' to 
Him that redeemed us and washed us from our sins in 
his own blood, to him be glory, honour, dominion, and 
power/ 

O Lord, one petition I prefer — if it be thy will to 
take her out of the world, take her in thine arms, and 
carry her through the dark valley ; grant to her a gentle 
and easy passage, and an abundant entrance into thy 
kingdom, and tune our hearts to sing — " The Lord 



114 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name 
of the Lord." Amen. 



November 23, 1801. 

This day, the dear Isabella joined the church tri- 
umphant — took her place among that company of little 
children which Christ has pronounced blessed, and * of 
the kingdom of heaven. ' I yesterday asked of the Lord, 
that he would take her in his arms, and carry her 
through the dark valley; that he would give her a gentle 
and an easy passage, and an abundant entrance into his 
kingdom. He heard my prayer; it was indeed soft and 
gentle; not a struggle, not a groan — and the affliction 
which brought down the frame was moderate throughout. 
I was enabled to resign the Lord's own into his own 
hand, in the faith that he did receive, and would keep, 
that which I committed to him. 

My soul is satisfied; more than satisfied: I rejoice, 
and congratulate the lovely babe on her early escape from 
a world of sin and sorrow, to the arms of her dear 
Redeemer, and to perfect blessedness with him. 



November 24, 1801. 

The beautiful clay of our Isabella is now consigned 
to the tomb. Never but once did I behold such a lovely 
object. It seemed to say, ' Weep not for Bella, she is 
happy.' Weep we did, though grieve we did not. It 
was a strange, delightful melting of heart over a sweet 
child, gone home to her own Father and God, to be 
consummately happy. 

In the morning, the Rev. Mr. P. and Mr. A. came in. 
Mr. P. prayed. The parents and I spent much time 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 115 

musing over, and feasting our eyes with, the lovely relic, 
which seemed to brighten in beauty as it lay, waiting the 
company to convey it to its parent earth. 

It is done — finished — the soul with God, the body in 
the tomb. It is all well — Yes, our covenant God, thou 
doest all things well. I firmly believe thy mercy is over 
all thy works. " Goodness, mercy/' yea, loving-kindness, 
has marked thy every step. I believe it now, I shall see 
it soon. 

Now, our God, follow this bereavement with thy 
purifying, sanctifying grace. Enable us all to search 
and try our ways. Lead our souls into a knowledge of 
the secret corruptions of our hearts, that we may confess 
and mourn over them, wash in the blood of Christ, be 
pardoned, restored, and get a great victory. Enable 
us, through life, to abide in Christ ; to keep close to 
thee, transacting all our affairs with thee, before they 
come into the view of the world. Let thy wisdom and 
thy Spirit, in connexion with thy providences, be our 
counsellors. O keep us in a dependant frame of mind, 
humble, and watchfid. Strip us of all self-confidence. 
May we at the same time be strong in the Lord, and the 
power of thy might: rejoicing in thee, the God of our 
salvation, " the strength of our heart, and our portion for 
ever." Glory, glory, glory to Father, Son, and blessed 
Spirit. Amen, and Amen, 



December 21, 1801. 
It is my earnest desire " to grow in grace, and in the 
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." It is 
my " desire to love the Lord my God with all my heart, 
with all my soul, with all my strength, and with all my 
mind; and to love my neighbour as myself/' so as to do 



116 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

to him whatever I could expect from Christian principles, 
in him on an exchange of circumstances. 

It is my desire to " give all diligence to add to my 
faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge temper- 
ance, to temperance patience, to patience godliness, to 
godliness brotherly kindness, to brotherly kindness cha- 
rity; that, these things being in me, and abounding, I 
may be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of 
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 

I desire to grow in grace day by day, to profit by 
every ordinance of God's appointing, and by every 
providence ; and I pray, Lord, I pray, that thou 
wouldst grant me my desire, so that I may become 
more spiritual, more discerning in the Scriptures, more 
fruitful in good works; that thou mayest increase also 
my humility. Open to my view more of the extent 
and spirituality of thy divine law; the majesty, purity, 
holiness of thy nature ; the exceeding sinfulness of 
sin; the hidden corruptions of my own heart, and my 
inability to search them out, and to crucify them ; 
give me also more just views of my past life, that I 
may ever be convinced that I am what I really am, 
" the very chief of sinners, and the least of all saints ;" 
and that it is entirely of grace, that I am what I am. 
O make out this promise to me ; I will record it in 
thine own words ; Ezekiel, xvi. 62. " I will establish my 
covenant with thee : and thou shalt know that I am the 
Lord." I confess myself the character described in the 
two foregoing chapters ; and, though thou hast chastened 
me ten thousand times less than my iniquities deserve, 
even by the constitution of the New Covenant, thou hast 
chastened me. Now, O Lord, most merciful, and gracious, 
who " pardonest iniquity, transgression, and sin," for 
thy name's sake, do to and for me as thou hast said — 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 11? 

" I will establish my Covenant with thee ; and thon shalt 
know that I am the Lord. That thou mavest remember 
and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more, 
because of thy shame, when I am pacified towards thee 
for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God." 
Amen. 



August, 1802. 
Ezekiel, xx. 32. " And that which cometh into your 
mind shall not be at all that you say, We will be as the 
heathen, as the families of the countries to serve wood 
and stone/' Verse 35 : " And I will bring you into the 
wilderness, and there will I plead with you face to face." 
36. " Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness 
of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the 
Lord God; "and I will cause you to pass under the rod, 
and I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant." 
Verse 43 : " And ye shall remember your ways, and all 
your doings, wherein ye have been defiled ; and shall 
lothe yourselves in your own sight, for all your evil that 
ye have committed; aud ye shall know that I am the 
Lord, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake ; 
not according to your wicked ways, nor according to 
your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord 
God." It is good, yes, Lord, it is all good; too often 
haye we said, " We will be as the heathen to serve wood 
and stone." Often hast thou chastened, often have we 
confessed, often resolved, that we would walk more 
softly, more tenderly, more circumspectly before thee. 
But, alas ! when thy hand is removed, when thou healest 
us, and restorest to us health, comfort, and our pleasant 
things, we " wax fat and kick," nestle in our comfort, 
abuse thy gifts, and lose sight of the giver. Alas, Lord t 



118 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

thus it must ever be with us, when we keep not near to 
thee ; we cannot walk one step alone without stumbling. 
Thou knowest these naturally wicked hearts, that they 
are deceitful above all things, they betray us before we 
are aware. Blessed, ever blessed ! be our God for his 
well-ordered Covenant ! Blessed be God for the discipline 
of it! 

O Lord, we are again in the wilderness, and under 
thy chastening rod ; for weeks past we have " eaten no 
pleasant bread ;" thy rod is still suspended over our 
pleasant, our dear child ; the streams of life ebb, he 
sickens, he dies, if thou interfere not. But the issues 
from death are in thy hand, and our eyes are towards 
thee. In vain are all means, all medicines, if thou 
infuse not the healing virtue. Thy weeping servants 
seek the healing virtue from thy waters, thy seas, thy 
purer air. All nature is in thy hand, and ministers 
thy pleasure ; to some conveying health, to some dis- 
ease. An herb from our mother earth, to be boiled in 
simple milk, as the figs for Hezekiah's boils, has been 
proposed by a weak woman : O let this prove the 
appointed mean, or direct and point out that which 
thou wilt bless, and let our hearts and tongues give 
the glory to thee. We deserve this bereavement ; but, 
Lord, what do we not deserve ? Even according to the 
constitution of the Covenant of Grace, and consistently 
with thy pardoning, saving mercy, and all thy long 
sufferings ; wert thou to take vengeance on our inven- 
tions, by exercising all thy threatened chastisements ; 
should we ever be out of the furnace ? But even in 
this view, thou never hast dealt with us as our iniquities 
deserved. " He will not always chide, neither will he 
keep his anger for ever." Thou hast, in thousands of 
instances, " cast out our sins behind thy back into the 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 119 

midst of the sea : blotted them out, to remember them 
no more for ever. Thy ways are not as our ways, nor 
thy thoughts as our thoughts." We may plead, " Deal 
not with us as we sin : but according to the multitude 
of thy mercies, blot out our transgressions. Pardon our 
iniquity, for it is very great." Affliction is appointed, 
but it is in %i measure ; when it shooteth forth, O debate 
with it," and according to thy promise, " Stay thy rough 
wind in the day of thine east wind." Lord, say, " It is 
enough ;" give the blessing, and by this measure shall 
iniquity be purged, and the fruit be to take away sin. 
All means are alike in thy hand, and any measure. In 
holy sovereignty and consummate wisdom, thou afflictest, 
and in thy hand afflictions yield the peaceable fruits of 
righteousness : the hearts of thy people are melted, and 
they sing of mercy and of judgment, and glorify thy 
name. But, O Lord, a look, such as thou gavest to 
Peter, will melt our hearts, and restore our backsliding 
souls. The announcing of our pardon by the same 
power, will make them overflow with love. If thou but 
call us by name, as thou didst an anxious disciple at thy 
sepulchre, with the same power we shall recognise our 
Saviour and worship him. 

O Lord our God, ever faithful to thy promise, thou 
hast said, " Whatsoever ye ask in my name, believing, 
that ye receive, I will do it." O Lord, I ask not the life 
of this child, on this ground. I have through life asked 
one thing of thee, and that will I seek to obtain ; while 
life and breath remain, and reason and grace, I will 
seek it ; seek it with importunity, holding fast by thy 
promise to do it, and believing that it shall be accord- 
ing to my petition. Make good to me this thy pro- 
mise, in a spiritual and eternal sense. Be my God, 
and the God of my seed, and of my seed's seed, to the 



120 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

latest generation. Let my seed, according to the 
flesh, be thine by regeneration of the Holy Ghost ; it 
is a great boon ; but hast thou not said, " Open thy 
mouth wide, I will fill it?" Father, do as thou hast said: 
this is my one petition, and I cannot be said nay. I ask 
for myself, my children, and my children's children, to 
the latest generation, the life which Christ died to pur- 
chase, and lives to bestow, that we may be made one 
with him, and our life hid with him in God. Amen, and 
Amen. 

But, O my Father ! thou hast said, c Be careful for 
nothing ; but in every thing by prayer and supplica- 
tion with thanksgiving, let your requests be made 
known unto God.' I ask with submission to thy holy 
will, if consistent with thy glory, his good, and the good 
of the parents, the life of this child ; that thou mayest 
spare him for our comfort, but first for thine own 
glory, that thou mayest give the different branches of 
this family a joyful meeting, a full feast of grateful 
thanks to thee for all thy mercies ; and our hearts may 
rejoice before thee for the abundance of comfort. 
Shouldst thou, in thy adorable wisdom, otherwise de- 
termine, thy blessed and thy holy will be done. Wash 
the soul of this child in the blood of Jesus, clothe him 
with thy righteousness, sanctify him by thy Spirit, and 
fit him in every respect for thy kingdom. And, O my 
divine Redeemer, I renew my petition, which thou 
didst so evidently grant in the case of our dear Isabella ; 
take him in thine arms of mercy ; soften and shorten 
the parting pangs, and carry him gently through the 
dark valley ; and give him an abundant entrance into 
thy heavenly kingdom, to join the hosannas of thy 
little children, of whom thy kingdom is in so large a 
measure made up ; and O sanctify the affliction to all 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 121 

concerned; direct our exercise according as thine all- 
seeing, heart-searching eye sees we need ; that it may 
bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness, and 
" the fruit of affliction may be to take away sin," and 
the glory of all redound to thee, Father, Son, and blessed 
Spirit ! Amen, and Amen. 



August 20, 1802. 
A letter from S — informs me that my children 
have landed there, after much fatigue, and that Thomas 
is considerably better. What shall I say, O Lord ! Art 
thou indeed going to spare ? Wilt thou by this mea- 
sure purge iniquity, bring sin to remembrance, and give 
repentance, and jet spare our comforts ? O for hearts, 
and tongues, and lives, to praise our God. O Lord, 
give suitable exercise, and let not this affliction pass 
without fruit. I thank thee for mitigation of trouble 
and for respite : may it be thy blessed will to complete 
his cure, and write gratitude and praise on all our hearts ; 
and let the influence be seen on our after-walk, for 
Christ's sake. " So we, thy people, and sheep of thy 
pasture, will give thee thanks for ever ; we will show forth 
thy praise to all generations.' ' Psal. Ixxix. 13. " We 
will run in the way of thy commandments, when thou 
hast enlarged our hearts." Psal. cxix. 32. 



September, 1802. 

u What manner of persons ought we to be in all manner 
of holy conversation ? 

" O give thanks unto God, for he is good, and his mercy 
end ure th for ever. 

" How precious are thy thoughts unto us, O God ; ho w 
great is the sum of them ! 

G 



122 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

"Were we to count them, they are more in number 
than the sand. When we awake we are still with thee. 

" The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to 
anger, and of great mercy. 

" The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are 
over all his works. 

" All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord, and thy 
saints shall bless thee. 

" Never hast thou dealt with us as our iniquities de- 
serve, nor rewarded us according to our transgressions. 

" Who is a God like unto thee, who pardoneth iniquity, 
and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of thy 
^heritage. He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he 
delighteth in mercy. 

" He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us, 
he will subdue our iniquities, and thou wilt cast all our sins 
into the depths of the sea. 

" Let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there 
is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. 

"And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities." 

Thomas is restored to perfect health, and the whole 
family enjoy a measure of that blessing. 

" The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we 
are glad. The Lord hath turned our captivity, he hath 
filled our mouth with laughter, and our tongue with 
melody." 

Thou hast heard our petitions, restored our pleasant 
plant, and continues t with us all our pleasant things. 

It is a time of prosperity ; thou givest us the " upper 
and the nether springs ;" thou blessest my children " in 
their basket and in their store ;" and, while the riches of 
many are making to themselves wings, and flying away ; 
while many are sinking from affluence to poverty, falling 
on the right hand and on the left ; by thy most mani- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 132 

fest providence thou hast preserved them from the 
wreck. O teach them to acknowledge thy hand in all 
this, and to say and feel, " Not unto us, O Lord, not unto 
us, but to thy name be the glory. It is God that giveth 
power to get riches." O enable them to honour thee 
with M their substance, with the first-fruits of all their 
increase." 

" In the day of prosperity let them rejoice," but let this 
joy be in the Lord. O let thy gifts, ever, ever, lead them 
to the Giver, and fill their hearts with gratitude, their 
mouths with praise ; and let their very actions be worship, 
while they acknowledge thee in all their ways, and thou 
directest their steps. May they be as " a city set on a 
hill, which cannot be hid, and their light shine before 
men, that they, seeing their good works, may glorify 
their Father who is in heaven." 

And now, O Lord, we wait for thy blessing in the 
restoration of our dear D. and I. B. and J. " Thou hast 
shown them great and sore adversities," and thou hast 
manifested thy power to save. " When they passed 
through the waters, thou wast with them ; and through 
the rivers they did not overflow them. When they walked 
through the fire, they w r ere not burnt, neither did the 
flames kindle upon them. For thou art the Lord their 
God, the Holy One of Israel, their Saviour." 

" Thou didst stay thy rough wind in the day of thine 
east wind ; and in the multitude of their thoughts within 
them, did thy comforts delight their soul. Thou hum- 
bledst them under thy mighty hand, and thou hast, in 
the multitude of thy mercy, exalted them in due time." 

In all their sojourning thou hast been with them ; 
and in fellowship with thy church greatly hast thou 
comforted them. Thou hast given them favour in the 
hearts of thy people, and made " the stones of the field to 

G 2 



124 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

be at peace with them." And now, O Lord, restore them 
to their friends and Christian society, and to their place 
which thou hast in thy goodness given and preserved to 
them. Here may they be thy witnesses, that 4t thou art 
the Lord, and besides thee there is no Saviour." 



1802. 
Dear brother Pero*, happy brother Pero ! Thy Jesus, 
in whom thou trustedst, has loosed thy bonds, has 
brought thee to that rest which remaineth for the 
people of God; thou drinkest of the pure river that 
maketh glad the city of our God ; of that blessed foun- 
tain from which issue all the streams which refresh and 
revive us weary pilgrims. But a little while ago, and 
thou wast weary, dark, and solitary ; thy flesh fettering 
and clogging thy spirit ; thy God trying thy faith, hope, 
and patience, which he had previously implanted, wa- 
tered, and made vigorous, to stand that trial more pre- 
cious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried by 
fire, and was made manifest to the glory of that Sa- 
viour who leaveth not his people in any case. If need 
be, they are in heaviness, through manifold tempta- 
tions ; but he knoweth how to deliver them, having 
himself been tempted. Thou hadst a taste of his cup ; 

* Pero was an elderly man of colour, whom Mr. Andrew Smith had 
purchased, and made free. 

Pero had previously been a freed man of Christ. He had been 
for some time in ill health; Mrs. Graham kindly attended on him, 
and read the Scriptures to him ; he died, by the bursting of a blood- 
vessel, at an hour when none of the family were with him. Mrs. 
Graham, in humility of spirit, reproaches herself in this exercise, 
fo^having been absent from him, without inquiring into his situation, 
for one hour. 



3IRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 125 

like him thou didst endure the contradiction of sinners ; 
like him thou didst experience the desertion of friends. 
Even thine old mistress, whom thou lately didst esteem 
as a sister in Christ, and to whom thou didst look for 
fresh communications from and through that written 
word, which she could read and thou couldst not. 
Oh ! how did she prove as a broken reed unto thee ! 
How did she neglect thy necessity, and her own oppor- 
tunity of bringing forth fruit in its season ! Thou hast 
been no loser. The Lord turned aside the slothful 
servant, the unfaithful steward, who neglected to give 
thee thy meat in due season, and himself stept into her 
place ; took thee from that household which was not 
worthy of thee, and led thee to those mansions of bliss 
which himself purchased and prepared ; set thee at 
that table where thou shalt feast on all the fullness of 
God, and drink of those pleasures which are at his right 
hand for evermore. No need of thine old mistress* 
now r ; no need of an earthly vessel now, nor of that 
written word which thou didst so highly prize. The 
Word, made flesh, has removed the veil that shaded the 
glory of the God-man from thine eyes : flesh and blood 
could not behold it ; of this he has unclothed thee ; 
and left it with us to look upon and mourn our sin. 
Thee he has introduced into the full vision of eternal 
day, where thou knowest as thou art known, and seest 
as thou art seen. O that full communion enjoyed be- 
tween a holy soul and the perfection of holiness. O 
that light of life, that Ocean of Love, that incon- 
ceivable blessedness ! How hast thou outrun us, brother 
Pero ! How distanced us in a moment ! Could I not 
watch with thee one hour ! O that I had received thy 
last blessing, instead of which, conscious offence, de- 
served rebuke, painful compunction, wring my heart ; 

G 3 



126 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

and perhaps the rod of correction may be suspended 
and now ready to fall on my guilty head. 

Father ! O my Father ! Am I not still thy child, 
still thy adopted ? Have not I an advocate with thee? 
Jesus Christ, the righteous, whom thou hearest always ? 
Does not the blood of Christ cleanse from all sin? 
Yes. This is my universal remedy ; thousands and 
ten thousands of times have I experienced its efficacy. 
Father, I again apply ; Blessed Spirit, do thine office ! 
Wash me, and I shall be clean : purge me, and I shall 
be whiter than the snow. I confess my sin, 1 acknow- 
ledge mine iniquity. Thou didst bring to me an old 
disciple, near and dear to his and my Saviour ; thou 
didst require me to minister unto him all that he 
needed : the honour was great, the opportunity valuable. 
Thou didst empty thy servant for a time, thou didst 
hide his comfort, that I might, through thy writteu 
word, draw living waters for him, and give him to 
drink. Oh, the honour ! Oh, the negligence ! Thou 
didst send the call for thy disciple to come up to thee : 
in thy providence thou didst make it first known to 
me, that I might be instrumental in conveying to him, 
through the same channel, oil and trimming for his 
lamp. Great was the honour ! Dignified the service ! 
But lost to me for ever. I passed by on the other side. 
Blessed, blessed Jesus ! Thou good Samaritan, who 
pouredst the oil and wine into his wounds, and tookest 
him not to an inn, but to those mansions in the skies > 
which thou, with thine own blood, purchased st for him ; 
sanctify, O sanctify to me this thy providence ; pardon 
my sinful part in it. Saviour, wash me in thy blood, 
and sanctify me, and bring good out of even my trans- 
gression. By thy grace, let it be a mean of stirring 
me up to more watchfulness, that I may meet the op- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 127 

portunities afforded me in thy providence, to occupy till 
thou come. 



September y 1802. 

This day has the Lord our God answered all our 
prayers, and enriched us beyond the ordinary lot of 
humanity. D. and I. B. and J. are restored to their 
preserved places, and to the bosom of their family. " We 
are as men who dream; our mouths are filled with 
laughter, our tongues with melody ; the Lord hath done 
great things for us, wherefore we are glad. Thou hast 
turned our captivity as streams in the south. We sowed 
in tears, we have reaped in joy. Bless the Lord, O our 
souls ;.?•' ever true and faithful is his word. " They that 
go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall, doubtless, 
come again rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them. J> 

" O Lord, from thee is our fruit found ;" may our 
sheaves be many and weighty ; thou working all our 
works in us, to thine own glory and our blessedness. 
Amen. 



December, 1802. 
The lovely plant which the Lord had blasted, which 
brought down our hearts with grief, which he had re- 
stored, and clothed with smiling health and comfort, 
again sickened, declined, wasted ; every mean proved 
ineffectual ; the Lord refused the healing virtue. He 
was brought to town to be near the physicians ; but 
the Physician of Israel aided them not. Disease in- 
creased ; with pain, sickness, convulsion, much he suf- 
fered, and long ; he had a taste of the Redeemer's cup, 
and of the bitterness of sin, but no part of the curse : 

G 4 



128 LIFE AND WRITINGS OP 

that the Redeemer drank and expended ; and having by 
his atoning blood, purged this little one from his sins, 
and perfected all his redeeming work in his soul, he 
received him into his own heavenly abodes. It is well, 
all well. Amen. 



March, 1803. 

I READ this day the thirty-sixth chapter of Ezekiel, 
and pleaded God's promises from the 22d verse, to the 
end, for myself, for my children, and for my children's 
children ; for the church of God throughout the world ; 
in particular for this country, for Britain and Ireland, 
France and Germany, where his name was once known, 
and his Gospel flourished : — that the Lord would " build 
the w r aste places, and repair the breaches ;" that he would 
u purify the sons of Levi," fill all pulpits with able, faith- 
ful ministers of the New Testament, who " shall declare 
the whole counsel of God ;" and that, wherever his name 
is recorded, the Holy Ghost might fill the place, and 
convince the hearts of preachers and hearers, of sin, 
of righteousness and of judgment ; might " take of the 
things of Christ, and show them unto them," and that 
the great Head of the Church might regulate and over- 
rule all these breaches, differences, and shakings, in his 
churches. 

O Lord, I am ignorant ; I know not the mind of the 
Spirit of promise as thou knowest it. The promise of 
the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the earth, of 
the corn, the wine, and the oil, is thine, as are all others. 
I am ignorant how far this refers to spiritual prospe- 
rity, how far to temporal. I ask, O Lord, covenant 
provision, the fruit of the seed sown in the hearts of 
men by thine own Spirit ; and that thou mayest build 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 129 

the ruined cities of thy churches, and fill them " with men 
like a flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn 
feasts ; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of 
men, and they shall know that thou art the Lord." Thy 
fair, thy rich, thy beautiful creation, is also the fruit of 
grace. The wicked possess it, but they enjoy it not. Thy 
people are the heirs, but thou, as a wise and merciful 
Father, givest them to possess according as thy wisdom 
sees safe and good for them. When with the things 
of this world, they imbibe the spirit of the men of the 
world ; when they nestle in thy gifts, and forget the 
Giver; when they enjoy with a carnal spirit, and not 
with thankfulness, and a due sense of their dependance 
on thee as the God of providence, as well as of grace : 
thou in mercy, as in sovereignty, blastest their pleasant 
things, mixest their cup of prosperity with wormwood 
and gall, or sweepest all away with a turn of thine 
hand ; that thou may est teach them that " man doth not 
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth 
out of the mouth of God ; ,; that thou mayest withdraw 
them from sinful purposes, and hide pride from them ; 
that thou mayest open their ears to instruction, and seal 
it on their hearts ; thou dashest to pieces their broken 
cisterns, that thou mayest lead them back to the Fountain 
of living waters. 

It is good, O Lord, all good ; I lay hold upon it ; be 
thou the provider of me and mine ; feed us with food 
convenient for us. Thine own word testifies u that every 
creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if 
it be received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the 
word of God and prayer." I, and the children for whom 
I pray, possess many, yea, an abundance of temporal 
good things. O Lord, give suitable grace, grace for 
grace ; keep us humble, dependant, spiritual ; enable 

G 5 



ISO LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

us to receive all through a covenant channel, as the 
provision of our Father, by the way through this wil- 
derness. O may all be sanctified by thy word and 
prayer, and we enabled to " eat and drink to thy glory." 
Amen. 

Read the 138th Psalm. " Though the Lord be high, 
yet hath he respect unto the lowly ; though I walk in the 
midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me. The Lord will 
perfect that which concerneth me ; thy mercy, O Lord, 
endureth for ever ; forsake thou not the works of thine 
hands. " 

Redeeming work is thy work ; regenerating work is 
thy work ; sanctifying work is also thine. 

The first is finished, the second begun, to be perfected 
in the third. O Lord, I hang on thy promises, which, 
with Christ, are all mine, though I have not at all times 
the savour of them ; this is mine infirmity, and often my 
sin. O keep me looking unto Jesus ! 



March 25, 1803. 

Sacrament Sabbath, Dr. M— preached from Ro- 
mans, vi. 17: " But God be thanked that ye were" (were 
in the past time, not now) " the servants of sin, but ye 
have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which 
was delivered you." 

O Lord, I believe the doctrines of thy Gospel ; I 
know that I am delivered from sin as a master ; it hath 
not dominion over my will, nor entire dominion over 
my affections ; I would be thine, thy servant, thy child, 
thine in all obedience. I feel this new principle in 
the desires of my soul. I would do all things to thee, 
in act, and in principle. But, O Lord, the old man is 
still here, harassing and hindering my new will, (which 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 131 

I have received from thee,) from acting with freedom 
and energy. Unhallowed motives steal in, by-ends pre- 
sent themselves ; and when outward duty is attained 
to, there is more of sin than of righteousness ; though 
entered upon with some measure of purity, yet, "before 
it is finished, I am at a loss to discern the true prin- 
ciple by which I am actuated. Lord, help me. Hast 
thou not promised to work in me both " to Mill and 
to do of thy good pleasure ?■- Is it not the grand end 
of thy death, that thou mightest purify to thyself a 
glorious church, " not having spot nor wrinkle, nor any 
such thing;" and shall not I be a partaker ? Art thou 
not " made of God unto thy people, wisdom, right- 
eousness, sanctification, and complete redemption ?" O 
Lord, my heart pants for redemption, from indwelling 
sin — this depravity of ray nature, this opposition, this 
evil, that is ever present with me, when I would do 
good, this indolence, this listlessness, this want of zeal, 
or else self-will, keenness of temper, impatience, haste ; 

Lord ! there is a host of enemies ; gird me, arm me, 
shield me, lead me forth under thy banner : be my 
victorious King. " I will go in thy name, trusting in 
thy promised strength and grace to help in every time 
of need." Glory be to God, Father, Son, and Blessed 
Spirit for the grace in which I stand. But for grace, 

1 had been a Milling slave to sin to this hour. By 
that same grace, I shall one day attain to victory. I 
cast my burden on the Lord, he will sustain until he 
deliver ; I will go up through the wilderness, trusting 
in the promises, and continue fighting in his strength. 
M My soul waits for thy salvation." Lord, enable me 
.to keep u looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher 
of faith." O give faith in every part of his mediatorial 
character ! May I feed upon him, and be strong for this 

g 6 



132 JLIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

sore fight, Give courage, O Lord, press me forward: 
may I resolve, and keep the resolution i " to resist unto 
blood, striving against sin." 

I have been a slothful servant in thy family, an idle 
labourer in thy vineyard, " an unfruitful branch," a poor 
dwarfish member in thy body. Grant, O grant, " a little 
fruit on the topmast bough." At the " eleventh hour" 
may I begin to work, to bear some fruit, to the glory of 
that grace by which my soul is saved from " the wages of 
sin, death, and hell," and made an heir, by free gift, of 
the wages of righteousness, eternal life and glory. 

I wait for thy salvation ! 



February, 1S04. 
A new thing is on the wheel in the city of New- 
York. A Society of ladies organized for the purpose 
of relieving widows with small children, was new in 
this country. It is now, by the blessing of God, appa- 
rently established. It was entered upon with prayer : 
it has been conducted thus far with prayer. The 
blessing of God has rested upon it, and much good has 
been done by it. Some of us have looked long, and 
requested of God to open a way by which the children 
of these widows might be instructed and taught to 
read his word ; and, by his blessing on it, come to the 
knowledge of the way of salvation. One mean has 
been attempted, of an ordinary kind : twelve children 
were last week placed at school with Mrs. L — , to be 
taught to read ; and some more are to be placed with 
another of our widows for the same purpose. But 
this indeed is new ; — a Society of young ladies, the 
first in rank in the city, in the very bloom of life, and 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 133 

full of its prospects, engaged in those pleasures and 
amusements which tend to engross the mind, and shut 
out every idea unconnected with them ; coming forward, 
and offering, (not to contribute towards a school, but) 
their own personal attendance, to instruct the ignorant. 
O Lord, prosper their work. If this be of thee, it 
shall prosper, and be productive of much good ; but, 
if thou bless not, it will come to nothing but shame. 
No good can be done but by thee, for " there is none 
good but God ;" and what are all thy creatures, but 
instruments in thy hand, by which thou bringest to 
pass the purposes of thy will? " Christians," redeemed, 
enlightened, sanctified, are no more; " thou workest all 
their w r orks in them ;" they themselves are " thy work- 
manship, created in Christ Jesus, unto good works, which 
thou hast prepared that they should walk in them." 
Worldlings, also are thy instruments : by them, also, 
thou workest and bringest to pass the counsels of thy 
will ; thou puttest into their heart the good thing which 
thou workest and girdest them for the purpose ; though 
not the children of thy covenant, they are the instruments 
of thy providence. 

O Lord, take up this matter ; gird these young women 
to this very purpose, and prosper them in the art of 
teaching these orphans of thy providence. And, O 
Lord, hear my more important petition. I am not 
worthy to be heard. O Lord, I am not worthy to be 
named in connexion with any good done by thee. " I 
am the chief of sinners," the chief of backsliders ; every 
thing in me, of me, or by me, is vile, as far as it is 
mine. All that is otherwise, all good implanted in me, 
or done by me, is thine own ; it is grace, free grace, 
the purchase of thine own anointed, my dear Redeemer, 
my dying, risen, ascended Saviour, and the fruit of the 



134i LIPE AND WRITINGS OF 

Holy Ghost, u the sent of the Father and of the Son," 
to set up a kingdom of righteousness in the hearts 
of the redeemed. Let me, then, a sinner saved by 
grace, to whom thou hast been pleased to give the 
exceeding great and precious promises ; let me, under 
the sprinkling of the blood of the covenant, and in entire 
dependance on my surety-righteousness, let me draw 
near, and present my petition, in the name, and for the 
sake of Him whom thou nearest always. O Lord God 
Almighty, by this very thing build up thy Zion ! Lay 
hold of these young creatures ; and, while they are in 
the way of thy providence, bring them " to the house 
of our Master's brethren !" O thou great Teacher, teach 
thou the teachers and those that are taught ! Be found 
of them who seek thee not, and say, with power, 
u Behold me, behold me, to a people not yet called 
by thy name ;" and out of this small thing, in thy pro- 
vidence, bring revenues of praise to thy name as the God 
of grace. Amen. 

And now, O Lord, for myself, I pray for deep humility; 
I ask for his sake who was meek and lowly, to be kept 
where my place really is, at the feet of all thy servants ; 
and if it be thy pleasure to make me a useful instrument 
— make me humble in proportion. Let me ever "re- 
member my ways and be ashamed, and never open my 
mouth any more because of my shame, when thou art 
pacified towards me for all that I have done." Keep 
me in this contrite frame of mind in all that to which 
thou callest me, give me a willing heart, and furnish 
me with every necessary for thy glory. And now pre- 
pare me to speak to these young women " good and 
acceptable words." Save me from sacrificing truth, or 
departing in any respect, from Christian duty : give me 
such wisdom as may be suited to the occasion ; in all 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 135 

things " mine eyes are to the Lord, from thee let my fruit 
be found.' ' 



February 17, 1804. 

Saturday the 11th. Twenty-nine young ladies met 
with Mrs. Hoffman and myself, at Mr. O. Hoffman's, 
Wall- street, on purpose to receive instructions respecting 
the school. I delivered what I had prepared for them ; 
they all seemed hearty in their engagements : and, on 
Monday the 13th instant, Miss L — t and Miss L— -n, 
attended at the school-room, and commenced teaching 
thirteen children ; four have been added since. 

Again, O Lord, let me request thy blessing on this 
Institution ; put thy seal upon it, and mark it for thine 
own. Gird the teachers for their work, and open the 
minds of the scholars to instructions. And, O Lord, 
in thine own time, and by means of thy own devising, 
provide spiritual instruction for the teachers, and those 
that are taught. Is it thy pleasure, Lord, that I attend 
the children on a day appointed for the purpose ? Wilt 
thou accept of me as an instrument, by which thou 
wilt do good to the souls of these children ; and wilt 
thou keep me humble and contrite in my own soul ? 
Bless also Mrs. L.'s school — there, too, let thy work 
appear : deal with her soul as " thou dealest with thy 
chosen ; teach her the way of salvation, and make her 
a teacher by thine own Spirit. If it be my dear Master's 
pleasure to use me, I would also attend that school 
as his instrument. " Search me, O Lord, and know 
my heart ; try me, and know my thoughts ; and see if 
there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way 
everlasting." 



136 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

February 21, 1S04-. 

" O thou who art Alpha and Omega, the First and the 
Last, who holdest the seven stars in thy right hand, and 
walkest in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, 
who livest and was dead, and art alive for evermore ; and 
hast the keys of hell and of death ; out of thy mouth 
goeth a sharp two-edged sword," by which thou readiest 
the hearts of the most hardened. O write with power, 
speak with power, in the heart of the angel of this 
church. Hast thou not in former days, had thy dwelling 
among them ; in days of trouble didst thou not work 
in them the fruits of labour and patience, so that for 
thy name's sake they laboured and fainted not ? Thou 
blessed st them, and gave them peace, and they rejoiced 
in the light of thy countenance ; thou multipliedst them 
also, so that from a handful they became " two bands." 
Alas, Lord, we have, Ephraim-like, " waxed fat, and 
kicked ;" we have left our first love ; we have not watched 
and prayed, and thou gives t commandment, and thou 
hast left us to enter into temptation; we have forsaken 
the counsel of our old men, and given heed to flatterers; 
we have forgotten our dependance on thee, and said, 
M Ashur shall save us, we will ride upon horses :" We 
have set up our " idols in our hearts and put the 
stumbling-block of our iniquity before our eyes ; we have 
taken counsel, but not of thee, and covered ourselves 
with a covering, but not of thy Spirit ; we have gloried in 
our own wisdom, and strengthened ourselves in our own 
strength." 

We are poor, and blind, and miserable, and naked ; 
rich at the same time, in our fancied wisdom, seeing by 
our own light, and compassing ourselves about with our 
own sparks ; u we feed on ashes, a deceived heart has 
turned us aside." 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 137 

44 O Lord, the hope of Israel, and the Saviour thereof." 
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. 
To us belong shame and confusion of face, (O cover ua 
with them,) but to thee belongs mercy. Humble us, 
O Lord, and we shall be humbled ; " turn us, and we 
shall be turned." 

It is in our nature to backslide for ever ; thou, and 
thou only, knowest the deceitfulness of the heart ; thou, 
and thou only canst search it. " O search us, and try 
us, and show us what wicked [ways there are in us, and 
lead us in the way everlasting. Deal not with us accord- 
ing to our sins, but according to the multitude of thine 
own mercies." We have no other plea ; our sins call for 
judgment, and until thou, thine own blessed self, turn 
us, we are in no situation to receive mercy. Work with 
us for thy name's sake: establish with us thine own 
covenant of free, unmerited, undeserved mercy. Then 
shall we know that thou art the Lord ; " then shall we 
remember, and be confounded, and never open our mouth 
any more, because of our shame, when thou art pacified 
with us for all that we have done." 

Make us thine by thine own covenant, established in 
Christ, thine own Anointed; the blessed Surety by thine 
own appointment : our Substitute, on whom it hath 
pleased thee u to lay the iniquities of us all ; in whose 
sacred person thou tookest vengeance for all our sins ; by 
whom thy law is fulfilled, magnified, and made honour- 
able ; whose doing and suffering in our stead are accepted 
by Jehovah. " The Lord is well pleased for his righteous- 
ness' sake." No covenant, short of one fulfilled in every 
jot and tittle, could benefit us. 

" Thy covenant is well-ordered in all things, and it is 
sure." 



138 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Here, O Lord, I take my stand ; here I lay my 
foundation, and on this thy covenant I build : or rather, 
here thou thyself hast laid my foundation, and on this 
rock hast thou set my soul, and built my hopes ; thou 
subduing my enmity. I acquiesce, I will " now remember 
the years of thy right hand," and look back to thy 
dealings with thine own nation, whom thou didst " choose 
and set apart from all other nations, though of the 
same blood with all those that dwell on the face of the 
whole earth/ ' 

They, like us destroyed themselves ; but in thee was 
their help. They also sinned, committed iniquity, and 
did wickedly ; they remembered not thy mercy ; but 
provoked thee at the Red Sea, after the great deliverance 
thou hadst wrought for them, and the wonders thou 
madest to pass before them in the land of Egypt. Never- 
theless, thou savedst them for thy name's sake, that thou 
mightest make thy mighty power known: thou didst 
repeat thy wonders, and didst dry up the sea before 
them. " He fed them with corn from heaven ; they did 
eat angels' food. He clave the rock in the wilderness, 
and caused waters to run down like a river. " After all, 
they forsook the God of their mercies ; they believed not 
his promises, nor trusted in his salvation; " they lusted, 
and they murmured, and desired to turn back to Egypt. 
Thou didst chasten them sore for their sin, and didst 
bring down their heart with grief." 

" When thou didst slay them, they sought thee, and 
remembered that God was their Rock, and the most high 
God their Redeemer. Nevertheless, they did flatter with 
their mouth, and lied unto thee with their tongue; for 
their heart was not right with thee, neither were they stead- 
fast in thy covenant. But thou, being full of compassion, 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 139 

forgavest their iniquity, and destroyedst them not; yea, 
many a time turnedst thou away thine anger, and didst not 
stir up all thy wrath. 

" O how many times did they turn back, tempt God, 
and limit the Holy One of Israel ! Yet did he fulfil all his 
promises, and, by wonders in the sea, wonders in the 
desert, wonders in Zoan's field, and in the camps of their 
enemies, he led them safely to the border of his sanctuary, 
to the mountain which his right hand had purchased. He 
cast out the heathen before them, and gave them rest in 
the Land of Promise. Even there they provoked the 
Most High, provoked him to jealousy with their graven 
images. " 

Again thou didst chasten them sore ; thou didst let 
loose the corruptions of men upon them, and suffer them 
to fall before their enemies. " Thou deliveredst thy 
strength into captivity, and thy glory into the hands of 
their enemies.' ■ 

Yet, O Lord, again didst thou deliver them, and sentest 
provision for them by thine own covenant : M thou didst 
choose David thy servant, and took him from the sheep- 
folds, from following the ewes great with young. Thou 
broughtest him to feed Jacob thy people, and Israel thine 
inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of 
his heart, and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands. " 

Such are the people with whom thou hast still to do. 
Such, O God of infinite mercy, such the God with 
whom we sinners have to do; even " the Lord God, mer- 
ciful and gracious, long-suffering, slow to anger, forgiving 
iniquity, transgression, and sin : who will by no means 
clear the guilty." O what could man or angel have done 
with this last character of thy name ? Thy covenant 
makes provision, In Christ Jesus, our blessed Substi- 
tute, all is reconciled. Thy name is one ; " the just God 



140 LIFE A\D WRITINGS OF 

and the justifier of the ungodly, -who believe in Jesus. 
This God is our God; we will make mention of his 
righteousness, and his only." By his own covenant, in 
his own time, and by means of his own providing, he will 
revive us. Amen. 



April, 1804. 

M All my desire is before thee," and it is all contained 
in thy well-ordered covenant. Many years of vanity, of 
idolatry, of backsliding, wandering, and folly, have 
passed over my head, since I first took hold of thy 
covenant. How fickle, false, and deceitful, have I 
proved ! Yet, thou knowest, thine own Spirit, through 
all my wanderings, testified in my heart, that, out of the 
channel of this covenant, there could be neither safety 
nor comfort : and, never, so far as I can remember, 
have I deliberately chosen to be dealt with by any 
other. Its corrections and chastisements have reached 
the deepest sensibilities of my heart. " Thine arrows 
stuck fast in me, thy hand pressed me sore ; there was no 
soundness in my flesh, neither rest in my bones, because 
of my sin; mine iniquities went over my head, were a 
burden too heavy to bear. I was feeble, and sore broken, 
and roared by reason of the disquiet of my heart. My 
lovers and friends did stand aloof from my sore, and my 
kinsmen stood afar off. I was ready to halt, and my sorrow 
>vas continually before me :" yet, even in my darkest, 
deepest afflictions, when " deep called to deep," and thy 
" waves and billows were passing over me;" when my 
u soul seemed sinking in the mire, where there was no 
standing, I groped in the dark : my heart panted, my 
strength failed, and the light of mine eyes seemed gone out. 
I was weak with my groaning, in the night I made my bed 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 141 

to swim with my tears ;" yet even then, by that same 
covenant by which I was suffering, " light sprung out of 
darkness, " glimmering hope in the midst of despair. " I 
remembered the years of thy right hand ; in the multitude 
of my thoughts within me," (the provision made in this 
covenant,) " thy comforts delighted my soul/' 

I was furnished with a plea which would condemn by 
every covenant but thine. " Pardon mine iniquities, 
or they are great. Thou, even thou, art he who blottest 
out transgressions as a cloud, and iniquity as a thick 
cloud. Verily thou art a God that pardoneth, though 
thou takest vengeance on the inventions of thy rebellious 
children ;" — vengeance, not the vengeance that implies 
the curse; no, that, O thou blessed Covenant, thou 
blessed Surety, that fell on thy devoted head ! Thou 
by this covenant wast " made a curse for us." Thou didst 
" tread the wine-press alone, and of the people there was 
none to help thee." Thou didst expend the last drop of 
that cup of vengeance. Every cup put into our hand, 
though a cup of trembling, is a cup of blessing. I, this 
day, take a fresh hold of thy covenant, for myself, for my 
children, and for my children's children to the latest 
generation ; for my brother and sister, for their children 
and children's children ; for the near concerns of our 
dear D. B. ; and for all whom I carry on my mind to 
thy throne of grace. This is the sum and substance of 
my prayers, Bring them into the bond of this covenant : 
and deal with them according to the order of it, and 
the provision made for them in it, in all possible circum- 
stances. Amen. 



" O God, in the multitude of thy mercies hear me, in 
the truth of thy salvation." — Truth of thy salvation. 



142 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Thou only knowest the truth of thy salvation. How 
little do we know of thy work ; many of those provi- 
dences which appear to us dark and dismal, are wheels 
turning round " the truth of thy salvation ; opening our 
blinded eyes to the issues of sin, and also delivering 
from the snares of the devil. " Deal not, O Lord, with 
me, and mine, as our iniquities deserve ;" this has never 
been thy way with us ; u but, according to thy former 
loving-kindness," and to all the long-suffering patience, 
and pardoning mercy, which thine aged servant has expe- 
rienced, through her sinful, guilty pilgrimage. Thou hast 
forgiven me, all the way from Egypt. " Leave me not 
now, when I am old and grey-headed ; but, when strength 
and heart fail, be thou the strength of my heart, and 
portion for ever." Amen. 



Rockawaij, August 1809. 
Sweet health again returns, which considering the 
agitation of my mind, surprises me ; but it is the 
Lord's pleasure. I did not wish to recover. I was in 
hopes that the Lord was about to deliver me from 
* this body of sin and death/ Lord, reconcile me to thy 
most holy will. Health is certainly a great bless- 
ing. I feel its sweetness. O make me thankful ! 
Great and numerous are my mercies. Every thing 
pleasant, and every thing necessary to life, to godli- 
ness, is mine : food and raiment to the utmost desires 
of nature ; and the beauties of thy fair creation sur- 
round my ordinary dwelling. My dear little room, my 
Bible and books of every virtuous kind ; (by grace, 
thy chief mercy, I desire no other ;) and, by the kind- 
ness of my children, I possess all as if they were my 
own personal property. By thy wonderful loving- 



MRS. ISABELLA. GRAHAM. 143 

kindness, thou hast given me, instead of the contempt 
which I have merited, the love and esteem of thy people, 
and thou hast made " the very stones of the field to 
be at peace with me," so that wherever I go, I meet with 
kindness. 



January, IS 10. 

" Come and let us return unto the Lord ; for he hath 
torn, and he will heal us ; he hath smitten, and he will 
bind us up. After two days will he revive us, in the third 
he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. 

" O Lord, turn us, and we shall be turned ; draw us 
and we will rim after thee. Revive us, and we shall live 
in thy sight." Thou must ever be first. It is in our 
nature to backslide; and, whenever we see a back- 
slider restored, or a rebel lay down the weapons of 
rebellion, there we may trace thy footsteps, O God of 
grace. 

No external providence will touch our hard, our 
deceitful hearts. All that goes under the name of 
misfortune, will but drive us from thee, never to thee, 
till thou teach us to profit, and lead us by the way 
that we should go. Thou callest, u Return, ye backsliding 
children, and I will heal your backslides:" but we 
have been foolish, sottish children, without under- 
standing, wise to do evil, but to do good having no 
knowledge. 

Let the days come, when the children of America 
(the earth is the Lord's) shall " come with weeping, and 
seek the Lord their God;" when " they shall ask the way 
to Zion, with their faces thitherward ; when they shall 
come, saying, " Let us join ourselves to the Lord in 
a perpetual covenant, never to be forgotten. O the hope of 



144 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Israel, and the Saviour thereof: is not that day come?" 
Hast thou not been working on " the right hand and on 
the left?" Thou hast given us pastors according to thine 
own heart, who feed us with knowledge and understand- 
ing ; and thou art here and there proving thy Gospel to 
be thy power and thy wisdom, to the salvation of sinners ; 
casting down the imaginations of pride, and bringing all 
into subjection to thy Son Jesus. 

Pour out " the spirit of grace and supplication" upon 
thy living members, that they may wrestle with thee, and 
" not let thee go until thou bless us," until thou make 
" this cloud, like a man's hand," cover our heavens, with 
blackness, and issue in a plentiful rain. " O pour water 
upon him that is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground) 
thy Spirit upon our seed, and thy blessing upon our off- 
spring." O Lord, hast thou not said that thou wilt do it, 
and that " they shall spring up as among the grass, and 
as willows by the water-courses. One shall say, I am 
the Lord's, another shall call himself by the name of 
Jacob, and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the 
Lord, and surname himself by the God of Israel." Amen, 
O our God. Amen. 



Last week the Lord's young servant, Mr. R — n, 
baptized seven adults, Mrs. B — and her two daughters, 
Dr. H — and sister, Mr. C — , and a black woman, ser- 
vant to Mr. H — . It was a glorious sight, and revived 
the hearts of God's people who witnessed it. O God of 
grace, grant that the fruits of righteousness may prove, 
that while thy young servant was baptizing with water, 
thou didst baptize with the Holy Ghost, and with puri- 
fying fire. O grant full proof that they are broken 
off from the wild olive-tree, and grafted into thee, thou 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 145 

living and life-giving olive-tree; from thee must " their 
fruit be found. " O cause them to bring forth much fruit. 
" Herein is the Father glorified, that they bear much 
fruit, " so shall they be Christ's disciples, and attain to 
the assurance of that happy state. Father, glorify thy 
name. Amen. 



1810. 

In December, 1809, a Bible Society was organized in 
New- York, and about the same time twenty respectable 
persons united in a society to wait on the Lord, to know 
what their hands could find to do, to promote his glory, 
to advance his kingdom, to spread the savour of the 
Redeemer's name, or in any way to benefit the souls of 
their fellow -sinners. 

On Monday, a meeting for prayer was instituted in 
Hetty-street, and another in Mulberry-street, with 
which the Presbyterian ministers have agreed to meet 
in rotation. It is the Lord ! We have heard of revi- 
vals all around, but feared lest the aggravated sins of 
New- York might provoke the Lord to pass by, leaving 
u our fleece dry, while the dew wet all around." Great 
have been our privileges ; the Gospel trumpet has 
sounded in every corner of our city. The Lord's ser- 
vants have set before us life and death, assuring us, 
from God's word, that, " though hand join in hand, the 
wicked shall not go unpunished ;" beseeching us " to flee 
from the wrath to come, and lay hold on the hope set 
before us." God in his providence has visited us with 
mercies and with judgments ; u stricken us, and healed 
us ;" scattered us and gathered us : but alas ! alas ! we 
kept " eating and drinking, marrying and giving in mar- 
riage :" many, very many, wasting their time, health, 
and substance, in all manner of immorality, and our 

H 



14t» LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

rulers caring for none of these things : yea, many of them 
practising the same things ; and, God's own saved people 
sitting still, restraining testimony before men, and prayer 
before God. What were we to expect but that God 
should say, " Why should they be stricken any more ? 
They will revolt more and more ; they are joined to their 
idols, let them alone.'' Such, O Lord, would be the case, 
didst thou not deliver us out of our own self-destroying 
snares. If thou turn us not, we shall never turn ; it is in 
our nature to backslide for ever. 

But is not the time come to pass, when, " before thy 
people call, thou answerest, and while they are yet speak- 
ing, thou hearest ?" Art thou not calling, with power, 
" Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your 
backslidings?" And hast thou not prepared their hearts 
to answer, " Behold, we come unto thee, for thou art the 
Lord our God : truly, in vain is salvation looked for 
from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains ; 
truly, from the Lord our God is the salvation of 
Israel." Hast thou not, O God, prepared the hearts 
of thy people to pray, and thine ear to hear ? Is 
not this Bible Society, and are not these associations 
for prayer, tokens from thee, for good ? More and more, 
Lord, may thy people " give thee no rest, until thou make 
Zion a praise in the earth. O the hope of Israel, and the 
Saviour thereof, be not as a wayfaring man, that turneth 
aside for a night." May thy people constrain thee to 
abide with us for ever, " to form us a people for thyself, 
to show forth thy praise." 

I have just conveyed dear Mrs. A — le to the confines 
of the eternal world. I trust that the dear Redeemer 
received her spirit. I have a good hope that she is 
now in possession of the mansion purchased, and pre- 
pared for her, by that dear Saviour whose name she 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 147 

professed, and, I think, in an humble, steady, quiet 
way, faithfully followed. She loved the word of God, 
the house of God, the people of God. She spoke 
little, but said, that she had a good hope ; asked me to 
read the Bible different times, and also to pray: said, 
that the invitations of the Gospel were sweet to her ■ 
observed, that the Lord had been very merciful to her in 
her affliction. 

A few hours before her death she desired me to read 
that hymn, ' To Him that loved the souls of men,' &c, 
Also, < Come let us join our cheerful songs,' &e. 
She asked me if I thought she would be long; I said, 
' No, my dear : you will very soon be with Jesus ; 5 
and encouraged her as the Lord enabled me. She 
repeated the question some time after, and I gave the 
same answer. She then said ? ' This night,' I answered, 
'Yes my love, this night.' She bowed her head 
with a sweet smile, laid it in a reclining posture, 
and evidently set herself to wait with patience, the Lord's 
time. She was very much oppresed, and breathed 
with much difficulty. Some time after she asked me 
to pray, which I did, and begged that the Lord would 
increase her faith and patience, and, if according to 
his will, give her a gentle passage, and an abundant 
entrance. In a short time her breathing became short 
and low ; she shut her eyes, and gently breathed weaker 
and weaker, till her God delivered her without motion 
or groan. I was on my knees praying. I then thanked 
God for his goodness, in this sweet dismission ; prayed 
for the husband, the children, the two young men present, 
and us all ; gave glory to God, and rose to discharge 
further duty. 

O my God, is not my own death at hand ? It is 
a hard battle. My Jesus, thou knowest the struggle, 

H 2 



H3 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

I too must drink of this cup ; mix it for me, my Re- 
deemer. let a full sense of free pardon, the recol- 
lection of the great and precious promises, a bright 
view of the joys at God's right hand, as the fruit of thy 
death, be applied to my soul in that awful hour ! 
Spirit of the Father and of the Son, pour in " the oil 
and wine" of thy consolations, in that trying hour. O 
let me not be straitened ! " Open wide to my soul the 
leaves of that well-ordered covenant, ,, of which Christ 
himself is the sum and substance. Redeeming God, 
may I experience proof in that solemn hour, that " thy 
flesh is meat indeed, and thy blood is drink indeed !" 
O feed me with this living food ! May I feel life spring 
up in my soul, and be assured that I shall never die ! 
O my God, grant one more request. — Open my lips, and 
Jet them, as well as my heart, be filled with the high 
praises of my redeeming God. 

I know I am unworthy, the vilest of the vile ; but 
magnify thy grace. I have much forgiven ! O let my 
heart burn with love and gratitude in that hour, and my 
lips utter its effusions in songs of praise ! Amen. 

When the short thick breathing comes, and the slow 
fetches, sealing up speech, and expelling the spirit from 
its abode, let me hear or understand thee, saying unto 
me — " It is I, be not afraid." 



Rockauay, June 15, 1810. 
Came hither the 1st oi the month, with the children in 
the hooping-cough, No ' church-going beir here, but 
the Lord is every where ; and I have found him here, 
warming my heart with gratitude and contrition, and 
drawing it out in prayer, for his people met to worship m 
his sanctuary. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 149 

When at a distance from my own people, it has been 
my practice to join with whatever class of professing 
Christians might be near me. Here it has been with 
the Methodists, who, I believe, enjoy communion with 
God. Yesterday I went to a meeting of Friends, a 
people whose works praise them, and bespeak the tree 
good which bears such fruits : but, O my God, what 
could I do, shut up with either ? Without the finished 
work of my Saviour, I could have no hope: without 
his law-fulfilling righteousness, I must stand a law- 
condemned sinner. The preacher yesterday took no 
text : in the course of his sermon, he said that the 
Scriptures were only secondary guides, that the Spirit 
in the heart was the first. He began with the importance 
of thinking of death ; said, that he thought it im- 
possible for a rational being to live carelessly, with 
thoughts of death and eternity in view. Is it so ? No— 
We see sinners die under the full conviction that 
they are dying, as thoughtless as they have lived. He 
said, that, by constantly attending to the motions of the 
Spirit, and complying with them, Christians arrived at 
a state of perfection even here ; and brought in that 
text, " He that is born of God cannot sin." He spoke 
highly of watchfulness, and avoiding connexion with 
the world; and said,, that a real Christian could not 
hold any office of power among men. Paul held one, 
but he was constrained to give it up when he became 
an apostle. Christ's kingdom was not of this world. 
Law and officers were necessary among the men of 
the world, but not among Christians. He spoke of 
the cross of Christ as consisting in suffering and self- 
denial. His blood w r as the Spirit which cleansed from 
all sin, by delivering all who obeyed him from its 
power. He named not my blessed Saviour, except 

H 3 



150 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

when he had occasion to mention some of his moral 
sayings. He said, indeed, that He was the Light that 
lightened every man that came into the world, and the 
condemnation was, that men would not receive it ; 
but one word of his blessed priesthood he spoke not — 
but said, that we were in a state of probation, and every 
one would be judged according to his works, taking 
into view the advantages he had enjoyed ; recom- 
mended the reading of the Scriptures, especially the 
inspired books, the New Testament, and the Prophets ; 
for it needed no inspiration to write the national history 
of the Jews, more than that of any other nation. 
He said, that the Scriptures were good secondary 
guides, and contained excellent lessons and truths. 
When I was coming away, he offered me his hand, and 
said, 'Thou art not a resident here.' I answered 
' No, I am separated from my own people, but wish 
to unite with any class of of Christians who meet pro- 
fessedly to worship God :' adding, ' I could not live 
upon what you have this day delivered/ He asked 
what was wrong. I stated, that he had given some 
good exhortations ; that I agreed with him in many 
things respecting conduct ; but that I missed the 
foundation : he repeated the Scripture — ' Other founda- 
tion can no man lay/ &c, I said, 'True: off this 
foundation there is no salvation — on this foundation 
there may be loss, but no condemnation. We have a 
great and a merciful High Priest, who can have com- 
passion on the ignorant, and them who are out of the 
way : and there may be straw, hay, stubble, which will 
be burnt up, but the soul itself, being on the founda- 
tion, is safe.' He said, with firmness, ' That will be 
burnt up in this world ; without holiness no man shall 
-see the Lord.' I said, 'True, but why avoid the 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 151 

tenor of Scripture ; read all the Epistles — the Lord Jesus 
Christ, the Gift of God, the Propitiatory Sacrifice, the 
meritorious law -fulfilling righteousness, is set forth in 
every one of them, as that which saves from wrath, and 
entitles to eternal life/ He said, that they were all 
emblems of our being made holy in heart and life — that 
Christians were baptized unto the death of Christ, and 
rise with him to newness of life, being buried with him, 
&c. I granted that, as one reading of these words. 
He said, that every other view was shadow. I said 
\ No — the blood of bulls and goats is shadow. Christ 
himself, his person, his offices, his life, his sufferings, 
his death, his burial, resurrection, ascension, and inter- 
cession, within the veil, are all substance — the sole 
foundation of my hope, and my only plea at the throne of 
grace.' 

Dear Name, the rock on which I build, 

My shield and hiding-place, [ 
My never-failing treasury filled* 

With boundless stores of grace. 

Jesus ! my Husband, Shepherd, Friend, 

My Prophet, Priest, and King, 
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, 

Accept the praise I bring. 



Rockazoay, August, 1810. 
The Epistle to the Hebrews is my usual study, when 
no other passage of Scripture attracts my particular atten- 
tion. This is the third morning that I have opened 
the New Testament on the fourteenth chapter of John, 
and have fed delightfully on the first three verses. There 
is at all times a thorn in my heart, keeping me in con- 
tinual remembrance of my vile, ungrateful backsliding 

4 H 



152 XIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

so that I eat my sweetest morsels with bitter herbs. It 
was particularly painful to me this morning ; neverthe- 
less, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, repeated on 
my heart, " Let not your heart be troubled, neither let 
it be afraid." I was arrested at the 4th verse, " Whither 
I go ye know, and the way ye know." I have had 
many comfortable exercises on the 8th verse, the Re- 
deemer's answer to Philip's inquiry. But this morning, 
my mind was led to a different view of that saying ; 
and which I think, was literally included. The Re- 
deemer was going to his Father; and his way lay 
through death, the death of the cross. The hour was 
at hand, when he was to make his holy and righteous 
soul an offering for sin, that he might become the 
Author of salvation to all who obey him. All the sins 
confessed, and pardoned by the sacrifices under the 
Law, were laid on this blessed Surety — they were only 
the shadows, He was the substance ; the real Lamb 
of God, which taketh away the sin of the world, was 
now to be offered up. This was He, who said, " Sacrifice 
and offering thou wouldst not, but a body hast thou 
prepared me:" in burnt offerings and offerings for sin 
thou hast had no pleasure ; then said I, 4 Lo, I come, to 
do thy will, O God. By which will we are sanctified 
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once 
for all.' 

He was going to the garden — O, that garden! — 
Peter had said, that he was able to drink of that cup, 
and to be baptized with that baptism. Ah, no, Peter, 
that exceeding sorrow in the garden, when no visible 
hand was upon him, was a cup, the least drop of which 
would have overwhelmed the strongest angel. No strength 
short of omnipotent could have sustained that hour and 
power of darkness. It was not the scourge, the thorns? 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 153 

the nails, nor the last pangs of dissolution ; through all 
these he was as a lamb led to the slaughter, and as a 
sheep before her shearers, dumb. It was a mysterious 
horror, of which no created being can have any con- 
ception. It was this that wrung the great drops of blood 
through every pore of his sacred body ; this that extorted 
the agonizing prayer, c Father, if it be possible, let this 
cup pass from me." And again, in his last moments on 
the cross, " My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken 
me V Blessed, for ever blessed, be our Jehovah Jesus, 
who said, " Not my will, but thine be done !" The will 
of God was done, and he said, M It is finished, and gave 
up the ghost. 

All his people must follow him by the way of death, 
nearly all his disciples followed by the death of the 
cross ; and many others, after them, supported by his 
almighty grace, rejoiced that they were counted wor- 
thy to suffer for his sake : but they drank not of that 
cup. 

Some of his people, for holy and wise purposes, have 
had a taste in the hiding of God's face, but " no curse ;" 
that he himself drank to the last drop ; " He trod the 
wine-press alone, and of the people there was none to 
help him." By his own death he destroyed him that had 
the power of death, and secured victory to all his fol- 
lowers ; he changed its aspect from that of the king of 
terrors to that of a welcome messenger from their redeem- 
ing God, to conduct them to those blessed mansions 
which he has purchased and prepared for them ; neithe r 
will he leave them alone with that messenger : " And if 
I go, I will come again, and receive you to myself, that 
where I am, there ye may be also. I will not leave you 
comfortless. I will come to you. The world seeth me 
no more, but ye see me ; because I live, ye shall live also. 

H 5 



154 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." 

Psalm xl. 6. u Sacrifice and offering thou didst not 
desire ; mine ears hast thou opened ; burnt-offering, and 
sin-offering, hast thou not required ; then said I, Lo, I 
come, in the volume of the book it is written of me ; I 
delight to do thy will, O my God : yea, thy law is in 
my heart." Heb. x. s : " Above, when he said, Sacrifice 
and offering, and burnt-offerings, and offering for sin, 
thou wouldst not, neither hadst pleasure therein, which 
are offered by the law ; then said he, Lo, I come, to do 
thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may 
establish the second. By which will we are sanctified 
through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once 
for all. This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for 
sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God. For 
by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are 
sanctified; whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness 
to us; for after that he had said before, (chap. viii. 10. 
now repeated, chap. x. 16.) This is my covenant that I 
will make with them after those days/' (in consequence of 
Christ's doing the will of God, fulfilling all righteousness,) 
" I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds 
will I write them : and their sins and their iniquities 
will I remember no more. Now, where remission of 
these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having, 
therefore, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood 
of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath 
consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his 
flesh ; and having a High Priest over the house of God, 
let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance 
of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil con- 
science, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us 
hold fast the profession of our faith, without wavering : 



IViRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 155 

for he is faithful that promised.' y Again, the Lord sware, 
and will not repent : Thou art a priest for ever, after the 
order of Melchisedec. By so much was Jesus n; 
a Surety of a better testament ; because he continueth 
ever, and hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore 
he is able to save to the uttermost those that come 
unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make inter- 
cession for them. Christ glorified not himself to be 
made a High Priest ; but He that said unto him, Thou 
art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee, saith also in 
another place, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order 
of Melchisedec." Again, chap. vii. 2S. " For the law 
inakeih men high priests which have infirmity; but the 
word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the 
Son, who is consecrated for evermore." Acts, x. 36 : 
" The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, 
preaching peace by Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all, Hew 
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost 
and with power, who went about doing good, and healing 
all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with 
him. To him give all the prophets witness, that though 
his name, whosoever believeth on him shall receive rem! - 
sion of sins." 



Rockaway, September 10, 1 S 1 1 » 
I hate been here four Sabbaths. The first I spent at 
home, the weather not permitting our going abroad ; the 
second I spent at a Prayer Meeting with the Methodists ; 
the thirds we rode to Hemstead, where I heard two plain 
Gospel sermons, from Mr. C — , Presbyterian Minister ; 
and the last, I attended at the Episcopal Church, same 
place ; heard a good plain Gospel sermon from Mr. H— - 
and witnessed the dispensation of the Lord's supper, 

H 6 



156 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

To sing the praises of our redeeming God, and to lift 
«p my heart in prayer with my fellow-sinners, in the 
comfortable hope, that there are other living souls praising 
and praying with me, refreshes me : to hear the Word of 
God read, and to be led to meditate upon it, however 
simple and common the exposition, also refreshes me* 
I am generally led to pray much, for minister and people' 
to consider myself as one with them in Christ, especially 
if the minister be regularly bred, and ordained by u the 
laying on of the hands of the Presbytery." However 
weak his natural powers ; however few or small his 
talents; if I have reason to think that he is taught 
of God, u that which flesh and blood cannot teach, " I 
desire " to esteem him highly for his work's sake." I 
thank God for the meekest and weakest of such : I 
believe they never labour in vain. " Out of the mouths 
of babes and sucklings," in talents as well as in years, 
u God will perfect praise." 

In this new world, thickly settled in many places 
with natural men, " eating and drinking, marrying and 
giving in marriage," while the flood of wrath is hastening 
to overwhelm them, and none to warn them of their 
danger, or point out the ark of safety ; shall such men 
be reckoned of no account, and their labours of no 
value ? No, the wealth of both Indies cannot balance 
their work: nor all the talents ever possessed by fallen 
man, with all the orthodoxy which mere talents are 
capable of acquiring, without that divine teaching which 
many of those, thus contemned, possess. That same 
small discourse, those few plain points, these same 
things repeated in the same way, contain truths by 
which sinners may be saved, by which sinners shall be 
saved. 

Suppose, (for it is but supposition,) that these men 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 157 

have made a mistake. They are the Lord's, and in 
their place, by his providence. He will be forthcoming 
for them, and without miracle. From him " shall their 
fruit be found, and his power be manifested by their 
weakness." Exert your energies, ye gifted Doctors of 
Divinity ; and may the Lord prosper the means used to 
produce a ministry, which shall render the attendance of 
hearers beneficial both to the understanding and the heart. 
Persuade men who are adding " field to field, house to 
house," thousand to thousand, to provide a competent 
maintenance for them. If these last remain obstinate, and 
it be idle to hope that youths of talents without fortune, 
whatever be their piety, will serve the church of God at 
the expense of devoting themselves to infallible penury, 
and all the wretchedness which belongs to it— is it wise 
to weaken the hands and discourage the hearts of those 
ministers, already settled pastors, or to furnish their 
people with arguments in their own vindication, for leav- 
ing them in want and penury ? 



Sacrament Sabbath, May 17, 1812. 
I was much melted under a sense of in-dwelling sin, 
and the deceitfulness of the human heart, and of my 
own heart in particular. I have been, I think, much 
in the exercise of contrition, for the sins of my past 
life, and exercised in watching over my words, thoughts, 
and actions ; now that the Lord has delivered me from 
all worldly care, having provided for me every thing 
u necessary to life and godliness : M pleasant food and 
clothing, both for body and mind ; my dear room, retire- 
ment, fire, candle, attendance ; my precious Bible, and 
spiritual ordinances : a faithful and beloved pastor, who 
feeds me with truth; I taste it, and I am fed. I am, 



158 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

as the Lord God merciful and gracious has awarded, 
under the constant influence of shame and confusion 
for my highly aggravated transgressions ; but I also enjoy 
the full sense of pardon ; " being justified by faith, I 
have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ ;" 
and, knowing that I have " a great High Priest that is 
passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God," I am 
enabled to hold fast my profession, comforted by this, 
that " I have not a high priest who cannot be touched with 
the feeling of my infirmities, but one who was in all points 
tempted as we are, yet without sin." I dare come (not 
very boldly, for I am under much depression) to the 
throne of grace, " that I may obtain mercy, and find grace 
to help in time of need." Every time is a time of need 
with me, for sin still dwelleth in me, I have peace with 
God, through my dear Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ • 
but am at constant war with myself. I plead thy pro- 
mise, that thou wilt " subdue my iniquities, that sin shall 
not have dominion over me," And now r , Captain of Sal- 
vation, I renew the fight, and it is depending upon thee 
to fight for me, with me, and in me. I will set myself 
to watch ; but I shall watch in vain, if thou keep not 
11 the avenues of my heart, and the door of my lips. ? * O 
clothe me with thy meek and lowly Spirit ! 



Sabbath, July 26, 1812. 
Tired of the bustle of Rockaway, and having some 
subordinate motives for returning home for a time, I 
embraced this season in particular ; having in the com- 
pass of one week, the Sabbath; Wednesday, my birth- 
day and the day set apart both by the General As- 
sembly of our Church, and the Governor of onr State, 
for fasting, prayer r and humiliation, besides lecture on 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 159 

the same evening. I returned, therefore, on Friday, 
the 24th. 

This day Dr. R — n preached from the 1st verse of the 
27th Psalm, " The Lord is my light and my salvation ■ 
whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life : 
of whom shall I be afraid ?" He spoke of the nature and 
causes of fear, the perfections of God, and the security 
of believers in those perfections. He spoke of the faith 
which unites to Christ, and secures the true interest 
of believers in every possible case. His chief design 
seemed to be to strengthen the weak, and confirm the 
fearful and the doubting, who had, nevertheless, both 
from former and present experience, a good right to the 
consolations of the text. 

O my God, my merciful and gracious God, what 
can I say of thy amazing, distinguishing mercy to me I 
Delivered from all these fears, I yet know of none who 
might more justly have been surrendered to their do- 
minion. My transgressions have been of crimson and 
scarlet hue. O my God, thou knowest them, words 
cannot paint them. My Saviour, thou knowest them, 
for thou bearest them ! Every jot and tittle was put 
to thy account, and thou didst cancel all ! O that 
garden ! that cry on the cross ! The effects were seen 
on thy sacred body : but who can conceive the myste- 
rious horror which filled thy sacred soul ! But thou 
saidst, " It is finished ;" and finished it is. " Lamb of God, 
which taketh away the sins of the world," on thy conse- 
crated head I lay the hand of faith, confess my sins, pray 
for forgiveness, and believe that I am forgiven. 

July 29th, my birth-day, and the last day of the 
threescore years and ten of my sinful life. What an 
exhibition will that day produce, when the secrets of 
all hearts will be laid open, all my actions, and all the 



166 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

springs of them ! Among all the myriads which shall 
appear at the bar of God, will there be such a sinner, 
taking into view the early grace manifested ? 

Born again, I think, about the seventeenth year of 
my natural life ; previously instructed in the doctrines 
and precepts of the Scriptures, as far as the natural 
mind can conceive, by pious parents and a faithful 
pastor ; with milk provided for my spiritual infancy, 
and richer food set before me for my growth : the 
leaves of the New Covenant were opened to my view, 
and the fulness treasured in Christ, for my supply ; to 
be delighted in — and delighted I was, and satisfied. 
But I " forsook the fountain of living waters, and hewed 
out broken cisterns that could hold no water." Where 
can language be found to depict my ingratitude, my 
madness, my folly ? and where to describe the long- 
suffering, the compassionate remonstrances, the kindly, 
fatherly chastisements, the repeated pardons, and the 
restoring grace of God in the days of youth ? how ag- 
gravated have been my backslidings, and what ven- 
geance might have been taken on mine inventions. 
What were the sins of Israel and Judah to mine ? 
When mine were committed, the great atonement was 
made, the adorable High Priest, Jesus, had with his 
own blood entered within the veil, and was set down 
on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty of the 
heavens : " the minister of the sanctuary, and of the true 
tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man." 

The new Covenant was established on better pro- 
mises, himself the Mediator, " the new and living way 
was consecrated to the holiest of all by the blood of Jesus ;" 
a throne of grace was established ; Jesus himself our 
Advocate and Intercessor. We are now privileged " to 
come boldly to a throne of grace, that we may find grace 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 161 

to help in the time of need." O how aggravated my sin 
above theirs, having such great and precious privileges 
and promises, and a " High Priest who can be touched 
with the feeling of our infirmities, " who " was in all points 
tempted as we are:" who owns us as his brethren and 
sisters, yea, the very " members of his body," and whose 
Spirit dwelleth in us ! 

I set apart the day for fasting and deep humiliation, 
took another survey of my past sinful life, confessed 
particulars on my knees, and made a fresh application 
to the blood of sprinkling, which cleanseth from all sin ; 
took a fresh hold of his new covenant of promise. " This 
is the covenant that I will make with them after those 
days, saith the Lord ; I will put my laws in their hearts, 
and in their minds will I write them, and their sins and 
their iniquities will I remember no more." Lord, do as 
thou hast said. 

I rest my immortal soul on thy promise. 



July 30, 1312. 

The day was set apart by the General Assembly and 
State Legislature for fasting and humiliation, confession 
of sin, and prayer. 

Dr. R — read the second chapter of Jeremiah, a great 
portion of which belongs to my own character, as an 
individual : and is laid up as part of that provision which 
is to support me through the last stage in the wilderness, 
and through Jordan, over which I must shortly pass : 
it is also laid in as a proof of the amazing long* 
suffering of God, and his readiness to forgive, even the 
vile backslider, in heart and life, as proclaimed in the 
third chapter. 



162 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Sabbath, December S, 1812. 

Dr. R — preached from Psalm cxxxviii. 7, 8. " Though 
I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me : thou 
shalt stretch forth thine hand against mine enemies, and 
thy right hand shall save me." Text, " The Lord will 
perfect that which concerns me: thy mercy, O Lord, 
endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own 
hands. " 

I will no longer mourn over loss of memory ; I think 
the Lord has more than made it up to me by his sensible 
presence, while hearing and applying the sermon to 
my heart, at the time : not only so, he enlightens my 
understanding: it is more opened to the elucidations 
of my Pastor ; and though I forget the w ords, and the 
order of his discourses, I am instructed in the knowledge 
of the subject, and the Scriptures in general. Shall I 
deny the grace of God, through fear of pride ? I see 
it not to be my duty. Can I attribute any thing to 
myself ? No ; " shame and confusion of face belong to 
me" for my carelessness and idleness in the use of means, 
during health and strength of body and mind. Never 
has God dealt with me as I sinned, but according to his 
own mercy, and in a way of great sovereignty. Let me 
record his great goodness, his tender mercies, and bless 
his name. 

Old age is upon me, and some of its infirmities ; my 
memory is much impaired, and my mind, in temporal 
things and subjects, becomes very desultory. Not so 
in spirituals : I not only hear and read with more in- 
tense attention, and prompt application ; but my mind 
is more disposed to meditation ; and though I cannot 
remember much of the sermons I hear, yet my mind 
is often furnished with happy and profitable thoughts 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 163 

on the same subjects ; and I find myself instructed, 
without remembering the instructions. This is evidently 
from the Lord. It appears to me also that I have not 
lost the sensibility of youth. I often shed tears, not only 
of compunction, but of gratitude. I seldom commune 
without tears. I think much of death ; am solemnized, 
but not afraid. 

As far as I know, my confidence rests upon a surety- 
righteousness, exclusive of every thing in myself. I 
am not conscious of self -righteousness ; I have no com- 
placency in any thing ever done by me. I not only 
believe that in all things I come short, and that sin is 
mixed in all I do, because God hath said so ; but I am 
sensible of particular depravity. It is my sincere de- 
sire to be stript of every thing that is mine ; (sins and 
duties laid in one heap ;) and to be clothed in the 
surety-righteousness of my Redeemer ; all that is mine 
being put to his account, and all that he did and suf- 
fered as the Mediator and Surety of the Covenant, to 
mine. 

I am afflicted with rheumatism, but God gives me 
patience, and disposes me to enumerate my many re- 
maining mercies ; — eyes to read his word, and ears to 
hear it preached ; thus far, also, such moderation of pain 
as very often to be able to attend with fixedness. I have 
my room at my own command, candle, fire, and at- 
tendance ; and, O bless the Lord, my soul ! much of his 
sensible presence. In the night when my aches prevent 
me from sleeping, he gives me some sweet hymn ; I sing, 
my pain is diverted, while my heart is melted and 
warmed under the expressions, and I often drop asleep 
with the words on my tongue. 

I am convinced that the provision I have laid in for 
my last journey in the wilderness, and through Jordan, 



164 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

is elected by the influence of the Holy Ghost. fc « He 
takes of the things of Christ, and shows them unto me ;" 
and while he keeps upon my mind my meanness, my 
vileness, wringing my heart with the retrospect of my 
backslidings and highly-aggravated transgressions, he 
opens at the same time the leaves of the New Testament, 
and shows me my deliverance from punishment, the re- 
demption of my soul, and my " translation into the king- 
dom of God's dear Son," as in the text : I weep and 
rejoice ; I loathe myself, and, clasping my Saviour to my 
heart, am at a loss for words to express how precious he 
is to my saved soul ! 



1 Jesus, 1 love thy charming name, 
"Tis music to mine ear ; 
Fain would I sound it out so loud, 
That heaven and earth should hear. 

'Yes, thou art precious to my soul, 

My Transport and my Trust ; 
My Saviour, Shepherd, Husband, Friend, 
No other good I boast. 

1 All my capacious powers can wish, 

In thee do richly meet ; 
Not to mine eyes is light so dear, 
Nor friendship half so sweet. 

* Thy grace still dwells upon my heart, 

And sheds its fragrance there ; 
The noblest balm of all my wotinds, 
And cordial of my care. 

* I '11 speak the honour of thy name, 

With my last falling breath ; 
Then, speechless, clasp thee in my arms, 
The antidote of death/ 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 165 

Dr. M. preached in the evening, from Eph. iii. 30. — 
" For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his 
bones." It was a rich sermon ; I enjoyed it at the time, 
but cannot recall it. Blessed Spirit, keep it for me, and 
feed me with the substance of it, as I stand in need. 

Accept of my thanks, blessed Jesus, that through 
thy meritorious life and death, I have an interest in the 
great whole. Accept of my thanks, blessed Spirit, for 
thus taking of the things of Christ, and showing them 
unto me. And accept of my thanks, Father of mer- 
cies, for the gift of thy Son, and all these blessings in 
him. 

" Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in 
heavenly places, in Christ Jesus. Amen." 



Gree?ivjich, Sabbath. 

Heard Dr. M — r preach in the State Prison to the 
convicts, from Luke, xix. 10. — "For the Son of man is 
come to seek and to save that which was lost." 

He addressed them as fellow sinners, all being by 
nature lost, and dependant on the same means for re- 
covery. 

True ; my heart accords. O Lord, thou knowest I 
stand, in my own estimation, a sinner, the chief of sinners. 
These have added to their sin against thee, offences 
against men, and are suffering the penalty. 

My sins have been chiefly, though far from exclu- 
sively, against God — and with many aggravations. That 
I was born in a Christian land, of pious parents, who 
gave me religious instructions ; brought up under 
faithful, lively ministers, and in a religious society ; ex- 
posed to few temptations but what arose from the cor- 



166 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

ruptions of my own heart — are aggravations, which I 
mourn over, as heightening the sin of unbelief in my 
unregenerated state. But the aggravations, the pain- 
ful remembrance of which mars my comfort, and covers 
me with shame and confusion, even now though I 
know that " God is pacified with me," are as far above 
these as the heavens are above the earth. For in that 
Christian land, under those Christian parents and faith- 
ful pastors, while yet young and tender, I was " enlight- 
ened, tasted of the heavenly gift, was made a partaker of 
the Holy Ghost, and tasted of the good word of God, and 
the power of the world to come." I was taken from " the 
fearful pit and miry clay ; my feet were set upon the 
rock, and a new song was put into my mouth, even to 
the amount of, O death! where is thy sting?" — I say 
of redeeming love, pardoning grace, new covenant 
mercy; I had "joy and peace in believing." But, for- 
getting my natural character, the extreme volatility 
of my spirits, my taste for gaiety ; forgetting the 
danger of smothering the heavenly spark by in- 
dulging to the utmost bound of lawful pleasure: for- 
getting my continual need of fresh supplies of grace, 
to preserve and feed that new life which could not live 
on earthly food ; forgetting the deceitfulness of my 
heart, and the injunctions of my Bible ; I became cold, 
negligent in the use of means, and distant in prayer ; 
I lost enjoyment ; and my heart naturally carnal, and 
madly fond of pleasure, got entangled. " The lust of the 
eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life," regained 
their power ; other loves usurped the place of that Be- 
loved who had bought me with his blood, and betrothed 
me to himself. " That which came into my mind, was, 
that I would be as the families of the countries — serve 
wood and stone." Blessed be his name, he said, " It shall 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 167 

not be." He brought me into the wilderness, and 
pleaded with me : caused me to pass under the rod ; 
brought me again into the bond of the covenant. O 
how often hast thou " wrought with me for thy name's 
sake !" One self-willed step brought with it a train of 
consequences dangerous to spiritual life ; filling even 
the path of duty with pits and snares ; cutting me off 
from ordinances, pastor, parents, church, country, and 
Christian society ; placing me, at the same time, in the 
midst of carnal delights ; and every thing in my natural 
temper and disposition was congenial to them. What 
saved me ? What in heaven or earth could save me, 
but thy covenant ! " Truly thy covenant standeth fast ;" 
therefore I was not lost in the vortex. " The Lord God, 
merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in good- 
ness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin," 
kept his eye upon me ; many a time did he stop up my 
path. From how many delusions of my own seeking ; 
how many snares and nets of my own weaving ; how 
many pits of my own ■ digging, hast thou delivered me, 
when wandering, bewildered 0:1 temptation's ground, 
in the cloudy, dark day ! How often hast thou sought 
me out ; how often bound me up when broken ; 
strengthened me when sick, and fed me with judgment, 
and very, very often, made thyself known to me ! I 
knew thy hand when it shook the rod, when it arrested 
me in some mad career. I knew thy hedge, thy bar; 
saw not only escapes, but my Deliverer: often paused, 
turned, and took fast hold of " thy covenant." I had no 
afflictions in those days, but every pleasure lawful to 
be enjoyed ; but no pasture, no church, no Christian 
society : yet God was there, my Bible, and the writ- 
ings of Doddridge, and other good authors. To my 
shame and confusion this day, God was not, in the 



168 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

inidst of all my idolatry, " a barren wilderness, nor a 
land of drought to me." I had many Sabbaths : literally 
the Sabbath was a " sign between my covenant God and 
me ;" ill-spent it often was, but not with company : it was 
spent in retirement. The Lord did not leave me so far as 
to give up the Sabbath to the world. Though my 
heart was incrusted, and spiritual life scarcely discernible, 
sometimes the Lord met me, and, strange to tell, not 
with threatenings, causing terror, but with ingenuous 
compunction, and ere the day was over, manifestations 
of pardon, though not joy ; for I was grieved at my 
ingratitude. 

I expected affliction long before it came, and my 
presumptuous heart calculated upon the fruit being— the 
u peaceable fruit of righteousness, and the taking away 
of sin ;" but still I held on my way, " gadding about, drink- 
ing the waters of Sihor, and the rivers of Syria," and eating 
the worldling's dainties. At last it came ; yes, it came' 
" Thou didst cut off the desire of mine eyes with a stroke," 
and with that made the world a blank to me. But, 
Oh! the stately steps of thy providential mercy, pre- 
viously to that trying hour ! I must ever stand amazed 
at thy exuberant grace ! agreeably to thy covenant 
thou raightest have struck me among worldlings, in 
" that dry and barren land," where not one tongue could 
speak the language of Canaan, nor bring forth from 
thy precious Bible the words of consolation to my 
wounded and bereaved spirit ; richly had I merited 
this, but never, no never, " hast thou dealt with me as I 
sinned ! >; Through the whole of my life, from the time 
that " the Lord called me out of darkness into his marvel- 
lous light," from the time that he first led me to the Sa- 
viour, and enabled me to take hold of his covenant . 
;; wanderer, backslider, transgressor, rebel, idolater" — and 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 169 

if there be any name more expressively "vile" and 
"abominable," that is mine. And from the hour of my 
birth, through the whole of this refractory, perverse life, 
" the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long- 
suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving 
iniquity, transgression, and sin," has been, and now is, 
thy name to me. 

No, ye strong-built walls, ye grated windows, ye 
gloomy cells, ye confine no such sinner as I. And did 
the Lord take vengeance on my inventions ? No. 
u Mercy" preceded, " mercy" accompanied judgment : 
yea, it was all mercy, not vengeance. He brought me 
and my idol out of that barren land, placed us under the 
breath of prayer, among a dear little society of Metho- 
dists, he laid us upon their spirits ; and, when the mes- 
sengei Death was sent for my beloved, the breath of 
prayer ascended from his 'bed-side, from their little 
meeting, and I believe from their families and closets. 
The God of mercy prepared their hearts to pray, and 
his ear to hear, and the answer did not tarry. Be- 
hold my husband prayeth ; confesseth sin : applieth to 
the Saviour ; pleadeth for forgiveness for his sake ; 
receiveth comfort ; blesseth God for Jesus Christ, and 
dieth with these words on his tongue, ' I hold fast by 
the Saviour V Behold another wonder ! the idolatress 
in an ecstasy of joy! One who never could realize 
a separation for one single minute during his life, 
now resigns her heart's treasure* with praise and thanks- 
giving ! 

O the joy of that hour ; its savour remains on my heart 
to this moment. For five days and nights, I had been 
little off my knees ; it was my ordinary posture at his 
bed-side, and in all that time, I had but once requested 
life. Surely, " the spirit of prayer and supplication was 

i 



170 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

poured out. The Spirit helped mine infirmities with groan- 
ings which could not be uttered," leading me to pray for 
that which God had determined to bestow ; making inter- 
cession for my husband, according to the will of God. 

" O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he hath done 
marvellous thiugs. His right hand, and his holy arm 
have gotten him the victory. The Lord hath made 
known his salvation. His righteousness hath he openly 
shewn in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered 
his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel. All 
the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God." 
Psalm xcviii. 



Friday, December. 

Dr. R — , on John, iv. lo. u If thou knewest the gift 
of God, and who it is that saith, Give me to drink ; thou 
wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee 
living water." 

This is part of my provision laid in for my passage 
through Jordan. Christ is the gift of God. Christ is 
the Water of life : he is this living Water, and the Bread 
of life " given ;" given by God, received by the sinner. 
Life and comfort are experienced, and fruit produced is 
the evidence ; but, first of all, this Gift must be known, 
and the soul's need must be known : Christ, the anointed 
Prophet, taught this woman both ; and no other could. 
" Search me, O Lord, and try me." Hast thou not 
taught my soul its miserable and ruined state by nature ; 
its helplessness as well as misery ? Hast thou not also 
brought me to this living, life-giving water ? Hast thou 
not? Hast thou not given me faith to come — faith to 
drink ? And hare I not experienced its solacing quality ? 
Has it not satisfied my soul, and, in some degree, allayed 
my thirst for carnal delights ? Blessed Spirit, " the Gift 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 171 

of" the Father, and of the Son ;" pour into my soul 
repeated draughts of u this living water ;" yea, "be in 
me," according to my Redeemer's promise, " a well of 
water springing up to eternal life," and cause me " to 
bring forth fruit to the glory of the Father." 

" Other foundation can no man lay than that which is 
laid, Christ Jesus." 

Do I, O my God, seek for, or desire, any other 
foundation ? Are not all my hopes for time and eternity, 
built on this foundation ? Is not Christ all my salvation, 
and all my desire ? Do 1 not embrace thy covenant 
just as it is, believing that thou gives t unto me eternal 
life, and that this life is in thy Son, whom thou hast 
given " to be a covenant of the people ?" Iniquities 
prevail against me ; but thou wilt not only purge them 
away, but thou wilt subdue them : " sin shall not have 
dominion over me, for I am not under the law, but under 



Sabbath, January 18. 

Dr. R — . " By grace ye are saved, through faith ; and 
that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." 

All is of grace, all is free gift : or we wicked, wretched 
sinners could have no interest in it. Thanks be unto 
God for his unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ, given 
for a Covenant of the people. Thanks be unto God 
for the gift of faith, by which we apprehend this 
Covenant, and become interested in him, as the salvation 
of our souls. Thanks be unto God for life to work ; 
for new principles and new motives, new desires, new 
hopes, new fears, and, in some measure, new con- 
duct. All of grace, and to the God of grace be all the 

I 2 



172 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Afternoon, Dr. R — . Jeremiah, ix. 23. " Let not the 
wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man 
glory in his might ; let not the rich man glory in his 
riches : but let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he 
understand eth and knoweth me ; that I am the Lord 
which exercise righteousness, loving-kindness, aud judg- 
ment in the earth : for in these things I delight, saith the 
Lord." 

Lord, hast thou not taught me, by thy word, by 
observation, and by experience, that, " all flesh is grass? 
and all the glory of man as the flower of grass ?" Alas, 
how much have I gloried, in even more worthless and 
transient things ; but thou hast put a worm in them, 
which, I hope, has fed on the roots, and they are in a 
dying state. Let me now glory only in thee, and thy 
blessed, gracious, and well-ordered Covenant. Do I 
understand and know thee, that thou art the Lord which 
exerciseth righteousness, loving-kindness, and judgment 
in the earth ? Dare I say that I, worm as I am, and a 
sinful worm, am the subject of this loving-kindness, 
through the righteousness of Christ ? Yes, I dare, by the 
constitution of thine own covenant ; by the Mediator and 
the Guarantee of the covenant of grace, which is all 
summed up in him. 

When thou givest Christ, thou givest freely all the 
blessings of the new covenant. 

This is the record, " That thou hast given unto us 
eternal life, and this life is in thy Son." 

1 believe the record, and do understand and know that 
thou art the Lord. 



February 8. 
Hebrews, xi. 24. " By faith, Moses, when he was 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 173 

come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's 
daughter, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches 
than the treasures of Egypt ; for he had respect unto the 
recompense of the reward ; choosing rather to suffer afflic- 
tion with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures 
of sin for a season." 

" All that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer 
persecution ; the natural heart is enmity against God," 
and hates his image wherever found. If individual Chris- 
tians have the favour of individual worldlings, it never 
is for their piety, that is rather borne with than loved ; 
and too often Christians save themselves from reproach 
by unfaithfulness : that, alas ! has been my sin and 
shame. In all my friendships with worldlings, some of 
which have been tender; how unfaithful have I been in 
friendship's highest office ! How seldom have I endea- 
voured to rescue my friend from sin and Satan, by leading 
her to the Friend of sinners, the Source of happiness ! 
I have contented my vile, selfish heart, with things 
pertaining to this life, unconnected with that to come ; 
leaving her under the influence of " the lust of the 
eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life;" without 
eyes to see her danger, or friend to warn her of it ; 
and while she communicated with me in things common 
to both, in all the good she knew, keeping back nothing 
from me of all that she possessed ; how often have I 
concealed my richest treasure, without inviting her to 
the participation. Surely I am both ungrateful and 
unfaithful ! 

I am ungrateful to that gracious God who opened 
mine own eyes, arrested mine attention, stopped up 
my path, and turned me to the way of life ; and I am 
unfaithful to my friend, whom I left to pursue that 
same way of death, without attempting to lead her to 

13 



!?4 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

this same sovereign, merciful, gracious Deliverer. And 
what withheld me ? Shame belongs to the heart governed 
by such motives — fear of contempt, reproach, or, at 
most, the T oss of carnal friendship. Of three such 
friends, now gone to their place, two continued their 
worldly course to the last, so far as I know ; for the 
third, the Lord provided a more faithful friend, who 
became a worker together with the Spirit of God, and 
led her to the Friend of sinners, " who hath compassion 
on the ignorant, and them that are out of the way." By 
Him she was received, and in Him she found life, light, 
and peace. 

She soon outran faithless me in the heavenly race ; 
gently chid me for my remissness, but continued my 
friend and helper. Ever foremost in the race, humble 
and steady in faith, she looked not back nor halted. 
She has long since finished her course, received her 
crown, and reward of grace, and become fruit to the 
account of that friend who supplied what was wanting 
in me. I rejoice with them both ; give " glory to God, 
from whom their fruit was found ;" and take shame and 
confusion for my part. 

How many opportunities have I lost, and from the same 
sinful, shameful cause ! O my Redeemer, what can I say 
to thee ? Words are wanting to express my loathing of 
that vile, selfish cowardice. 

Didst thou, who art the Creator of heaven and earth, 
the Brightness of the glory of God, the express Image of 
his person, and Upholder of all things, suffer shame, 
contempt, anguish, death, for my sake: that thoumightest 
redeem me from the second death, and purchase for me 
eternal life ? And do I shrink from the least taste of 
thy cup, though the curse is extracted and a blessing 
infused ! 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 175 

And, after all this, art " thou pacified towards me?" I 
search in vain for words to express the amazing grace. 
"As the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his 
mercy toward them that fear him ;" and, toward vile me, 
who can lay small claim to that character: yet, " as far 
as the east is from the west, so far has he removed my 
transgressions from him. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, 
who excel in strength, that do his commandments, heark- 
ening to the voice of his word. Bless the Lord, all ye 
his hosts, ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure ; ye 
ministering spirits, sent forth to watch over, and minister 
to them who shall be heirs of salvation;" ye have wit- 
nessed my ingratitude, my folly. 



Sabbath, February 7. 

Dr. R — preached one half of the day from Acts, xvii. 
22, It was a supplement to a set of lectures on " God 
is a Spirit." John, iv. 14. 

All is now gone, the faculty of retention is gone : it 
is the Lord's doing. There is no sin in this so far ; 
my duty is resignation. Shame and confusion belong 
to me, because of misimprovement in youth. Alas ! 
alas! for the precious hours mis-spent, squandered in 
folly, or in idleness. For the time, I ought to have 
been of full age ; whereas, I am but a babe. Glory to 
God for even that, and for the many precious oppor- 
tunities of daily nourishment, and some measure of appe- 
tite ! for conscious life, and some growth, though 
scarcely perceptible. I have deserved to be banished 
from every Christian society and place of Gospel 
worship ; to be left to stray without a shepherd or 
pasture in a land of drought, where there is no water ; 
and this in perfect consistency with the stability of thy 

14 



176 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

covenant, for vengeance belongeth to thee, though thou 
art a God that pardoneth ; for alas ! such circum- 
stances were of my own seeking, being closely connected 
with the choice I made of some other circumstances, which 
were right hands, and right eyes, that I refused to 
sacrifice. How often would st thou " have gathered 
me, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings ! 
But I would not." I entered into temptation, " drank 
the waters of Sihor, and the rivers of Syria/ 5 and forsook 
the living fountain. Sin, folly, madness, crowd upon 
my remembrance, in that foreign, barren land ; without 
pastor, or teacher, or Christian friend. I was in want, 
but without appetite ; poor and needy, but insensible 
of it. I knew that this was my situation, but I did not 
feel it. I said of the Lord, ' He is my God,' even then, 
while my heart was far from him. I was at ease, satisfied 
with husks ; for husks my pleasures were, if not poison 
to the spiritual life. But I had, by grace given at the 
time, taken hold of God's covenant, particularly of its 
discipline. I did at times repeat the grasp, but held not 
fast. My goodness " was as the morning dew, which 
soon drieth up, and is gone." 

Satan his purpose did pursue, 

Detained me far abroad, 
Feeding on husks, although I knew 

My Father's house and God. 

But Jesus, stronger far than he, 

In his appointed hour, 
The wand'rer sought, and set her free, 

By purchase, and by power. 



Aprils Sabbath. 
1 Peter, chap, ii., 1st and 2d verses. "Wherefore, 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 177 

laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, 
and envyings, and all evil -speaking, as new-born babes 
desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow 
thereby." 

Blessed Spirit, thou has convinced me of the in-dwell- 
ing of every one of these, and also of mine inability to 
make successful war against them. But, hast thou not 
. led me to the Captain of Salvation for armour, for strength, 
for wisdom, for power ; and is not my dependance for 
success on thy promise, that " sin shall not have dominion 
over me;" that thy grace is sufficient for me; " that 
as my day is, so shall my strength be V y 



May 5. 

Rom. v. 1. " Therefore being justified by faith, we 
have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. ,, 

Blessed, blessed, blessed doctrine ! By no other doc- 
trine can I be justified and saved. Christ, the gift of 
God, and faith the gift of God. All, all is of grace. 

I have shut my door, desiring to commune with God ; 
but, feeling dull and lifeless, ask, What shall I read ? 
My Bible lies just at hand ; where shall I read ? Every 
part is good. I open, and find it marked, Psalm lxix. IS. 
" My prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable 
time; O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, 
in the truth of thy salvation, in an acceptable time. I 
am continually with thee ; thou boldest me by thy right 
hand, and" in the time of need especially. M In the mul- 
titude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation." 
What is the truth of God's salvation? To be the pro- 
perty of Christ by purchase, to have Christ made our 
property by the Father's gift. To have the Holy Spirit 
sent into our hearts, to enlighten our understandings, 

15 



178 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

to govern our wills, to regulate our affections and 
tempers, and to be in us " a well of water springing up 
into eternal life.'' Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, ours 
by gift and by power! This, this, contains all my 
asking, for myself, for my children, and my children's 
children, for my friends, and for all dear to me. Take 
us, O Lord ; and, in " the truth of thy salvation," give 
thyself to us ; to do all that is needful for us ; and glorify 
thy name. 



Sabbath. 

Luke, xiv. 16. "A certain man made a great supper, 
and bade many, and sent his servants at supper- time to 
say to them that were bidden, Come, for all things are 
ready. And they all, with one consent, began to make 
excuse." 

Such are our hearts, that we make idols even of the 
blessings and bounties of Providence ; no room is left for 
Christ, though without him every temporal good is under 
a curse, and our own person also. 

O Lord, bless the gracious invitations given to perish- 
ing sinners this day ; the pathetic and tender remon- 
strances of thy faithful servant. May many of the 
poor, the maimed, the halt, the blind, from the streets 
and lanes of the city, and may many from the highways 
and hedges be compelled to come, that thy house may 
be filled. And, O my gracious Father, let these care- 
less ones, who are my flesh and blood, be among the 
number! Hear, O hear the prayers offered this day, 
for poor self-deluded, self-destroying sinners: awaken 
them, O Lord, and sweep away all lying refuges ; and, 
gracious God, settle and establish these halters ; give 
life, and love, and zeal, to make a full profession, to 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 179 

the glory of thy powerful grace, and to the joy and 
comfort of fellow-members. Let " thy kingdom come.'* 



February, 1812. 

Dr.M — . John, i. " Behold the Lamb of God, which 
taketh away the sin of the world ! " 

He dwelt chiefly on the substitution of the victim in 
the room of the transgressor; and proved, from the 
Levitical law, that the substitution was particular. When 
a victim was offered for an individual, he was to lay his 
hand on the head of the animal, (by the appointment of 
God,) as a token of his faith, that his sins should be 
transferred to the victim which suffered death, in his 
stead, and that his sins were forgiven, and his person 
accepted. If the victim was for the whole congregation, 
then the elders, as their representatives, were to lay their 
hands upon the head of the victim, signifying the same 
faith. Gi;eat was the subject of the plan of redemption. 
The Son of God was clothed with our nature, given, and 
set apart as a propitiatory Sacrifice the Victim upon 
whom the sins of his elect were laid, while he was sacri- 
ficed in their stead. 

He is the Lamb of God, which took away the sins, 
not only of the Jewish transgressors, but the sins of the 
elect out of every nation, kindred, and tongue, throughout 
the world. On this Lamb of God rests my own indi- 
vidual hope for pardon, and for acceptance. I lay my 
own individual hand of faith on his dear head, confess 
my sin, and rely upon his sacrifice for pardon and 
acceptance, through the atonement made by himself, 
God's anointed Priest, 

I 6 



180 LIFE AND WRITINGS Of 



March, 1812. Sabbath. 

Dr. R — . Jer. xxxi. S. " And they shall come with 
weeping, and with supplication will I lead them." 

This may refer, chiefly, to the latter day. But the 
Lord leads every sinner to the Saviour with weeping; 
and through after-life, when reconciled, by supplica- 
tion. What testimony do my heart and conscience 
give ? He found me about the age of seventeen ; with 
weeping and supplication he led me to the Saviour, 
gave me lively faith, and much joy and peace in believ- 
ing ; but, alas ! no claim can I lay to the description 
in after-life. The subjugation of the will, devotedness 
of heart, deliverance from the love of the world, peace 
with God, and with conscience, delight, calm, serene, 
and steady, in communion with God ; — these I see in 
others ; a lovely group of my own intimate friends 
now surround the throne, who answered to this de- 
scription, and some are now on the way, abstracted 
from the world, God's people their chosen companions: 
his ordinances, public and private, their delight: they 
walk with God. But far different is the race I ran 
for many years! I became careless and remiss; the 
world again got hold of my heart; love waxed cold, 
creatures became idols ; early instruction deeply laid in, 
and recollection of former experiences, dread of self- 
deception, and touches of the rod, were the means by 
which the Lord again led me with weeping and sup- 
plication. But no sooner was pardon manifested, and 
the rod removed, than my vile, abominable, unstable, 
guilty heart, was again caught in pleasure's net, seeking 
to reconcile God and mammon, ever forsaking " the 
fountain of living waters, and hewing out broken cisterns ; 
now drinking the waters of Sihor, then the rivers of 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 1S1 

Syria." Yet never — amazing! O how amazing! never 
altogether forsaken ! Repenting and sinning, sinning 
and repenting was my business ; the Lord God still 
manifesting as many pardons. And how is it now f The 
Lord leads me again with weeping. He has pardoned ; 
he has freelv pardoned all, and he has manifested, and 
does manifest, that pardon so fully, that I scarcely ever 
feel a doubt : but shame and confusion, self-loathing, 
painful remembrance and- self-reproach, mar my comfort. 
I have communion with God. He is my reconciled 
Father. He has given me eternal life in the gift of his 
Son. I am a saved sinner, by the amazing plan of re- 
demption, which comprehends even me. God's covenant 
stands fast ; the covenant which he gave me in my youth, 
by which Jesus was Surety to God for righteousness, and 
Surety to me for covenant grace, the one only Mediator 
between God and man. 



April Sabbath. 
Dr. R— . 2 Timothy, iii. 12. " Yea, and all that will 
live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution ." The 
subject came home to my heart. I have not suffered 
persecution ; and why ? Because my life has not testified 
sufficiently against a sinful world. Alas ! alas ! the world 
loves its own, and I have been so accommodating (to say 
the least) as not to disturb it. " The carnal mind is- 
enmity against God, is not subject to the law of God, 
neither indeed can be :*' but the world saw little in me of 
that image which they hate, and enough of assimilation 
to balance that little. O my God, my long-suffering, 
sin-pardoning God: thou knowest my vile cowardice; 
with professors a professor of thy name, with worldlings 
a seeming worldling. And now the season is past, the 



182 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

opportunity lost ; the time of life is arrived, when the 
world itself expects to be abandoned. No line of eon- 
duct in me will now reprove them ; they account it wise 
to defer looking out for a better portion, till the world 
can no longer be enjoyed ; and thus through the deceit- 
fulness of their own hearts, and the suggestions of the 
ever vigilant enemy of souls, they may be hardened in 
sin, by hoping to become religious in old age. Oh ! let 
thy grace prevent it. 

The sinfulness, and especially the ingratitude of my 
past life, rise in magnitude at every review I take of it ! 
And what can I say ? Father, forgive ! Yes, I dare say, 
Father, forgive ! I dare say more ; Thou hast forgiven ! 
This grief of heart proves that thou hast not sealed me 
up under impenitence. Thou rememberest thy covenant 
with me in the days of my youth, when thou didst draw 
me " with the cords of love, and with the bands of a 
man ;" and though no language can express my baseness 
and my ingratitude, through all my backsliding life, thy 
covenant stands fast. 

" I remember and am confounded, and will never open 
my mouth any more, because of my shame, now that thou 
art pacified toward me for all that I have done." And I 
know, that thou art the Lord. 

Contrition dwell within this breast, 
That God within this heart may rest; 
Shame and confusion flush this face, 
And magnify this glorious grace. 
Grace be my theme while I have breath, 
And on my quivering lips in death. . 
Angels and fellow-sinners, say, 
Will you not join me in the lay, 
Now, and through Heaven's eternal day ? 

Blessed Comforter, thou seest old age upon me, loss 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 183 

of memory, and a desultory mind ; I cannot retain even 
the substance of my dear pastor's sermons. I thank 
thee for the food and refreshment at the time, and often 
for refreshing meditations on the same subjects. I 
commit all to thee ; keep them for me, and feed me 
with these truths as thou seest I need. Be to me 
memory, judgment, presence of mind ; for order and 
regularity, and the vigour of my natural powers, are gone. 
I rejoice in my dear Saviour, " who of God is made unto 
me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and complete 
redemption." He shall perfect that which concerneth me, 
and finish the work he has begun. Therefore I say, All 
is well. 



Sabbath, November 22. 

Dr. R. — . Zech. ix. 12. " Turn ye to the strong hold, 
ye prisoners of hope ; even to-day do I declare that I will 
render double unto you." 

Since our first parents' transgression, all men are 
prisoners ; every faculty of their minds in bondage to 
sin, Satan, and the world. They are also prisoners 
under the curse of the broken law, the penalty of which 
hangs over their heads, suspended by the thread of 
life. They are unconscious of their situation, and sa- 
tisfied with their slavery ; yet, certainly, far from being 
happy. Conscience often disturbs their quiet, and 
creates an awful foreboding. These prisoners cannot 
help themselves ; but God proclaims mercy ; help must 
come from him. There is a hope set before them ; 
yea, a strong hold, to which they are called to flee and 
be safe. Jesus is my hope, my strong hold, my safety, 
my saviour, my portion, my life, my happiness— yea 
my happiness ; for safe I am, and happy, though some- 



1S4 1IFE AND WRITINGS OF 

times in heaviness, for yet sin dwelleth in me, *and in 
others, dear as my own soul ; and though I know it is 
pardoned, and provision made for pardon to the end, 
yet it is bitter; and bitter let it be— I would not have 
it otherwise. Heal my depravity, O God i Take sin 
out of this heart ; fill it with love to thee, and to all my 
fellow-sinners. My dear High Priest, it can be but a 
little further to Jordan. My seventy years are run. 
Does not the Ark of the covenant appear going before 
me ? Am I not called to decamp and follow after 1 
O my blessed, blessed High Priest, keep mine eye 
fixed on thy person, and let me follow thee step by step, 
loot after foot, without losing one mark all the way to 
Jordan ; and there let me see thee. Blessed Ark of the 
covenant, roll back the waters of terror, stand firm 
in Jordan, and bid me come unto thee ; and set up the 
stones of memorial, in a song of praise, in the midst 
of Jordan. 

O then thy glory let me see, 

Then cause thy face to shine on me; 

And tune my heart, and tune my voice, 

And language furnish to rejoice, 

That all around may lend their tongue, 

And sweetly join my dying song. 



February 4, IS 13. 
My dear grand- children, J. and I. B., waited on their 
beloved pastor Dr. R — , and professed their faith in the 
Lord Jesus Christ as the Saviour of sinners, and their 
Saviour ; signifying also their desire to give themselves 
to the Lord, and to his church, and to be in all things 
governed hj it ; to receive the seal of the covenant of 
grace, commemorate the dying love of their Redeemer 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 1S5 

the next opportunity, and swear allegiance to him over 
the symbols of his body and blood. 

Glory to God for this fresh manifestation of his 
mercy and grace to sinners ! Not unto us, O Lord God, 
but to thy name be the glory. Thou hast made a 
covenant with thy chosen, and with believers in him ; 
and thou hast, by thy Holy Spirit, drawn them to take 
hold of this thine own covenant, and to give themselves 
to thee, to be made the subjects of it And now, O 
Lord, remember thine own covenant, and do *as thou 
hast said. " Put thy laws in their minds, and write them 
in their hearts, and be unto them a God, and they shall 
be unto thee a people ; be merciful to their unrighteous- 
ness, and their sins and iniquities remember no more." 
Give them understanding, to know and believe thy laws, 
memories to retain them, hearts to love them, consciences 
to recognise them, courage to profess them, and power to 
put them in practice. O grant that the whole habit and 
frame of their souls may be a table and transcript of thy 
law. Blessed Redeemer, gather these lambs in thine 
arms, and carry them in thy bosom. O seal them with 
the Holy Spirit of promise. They look forward to that 
feast of love which thou didst institute in that same night 
in which thou wast betrayed into the hands of sinners. 
If it may please thee, " manifest thyself to them as thou 
dost not unto the world." Blessed Shepherd, call these 
lambs by name ; may they know thy voice, rejoice to 
hear it, and follow thee. In all the preparatory exer- 
cises, speak to their hearts, and commune with them 
in secret. O give them some love-tokens which they 
may never forget ; and make thyself * known to them 
in the breaking of bread." Exercise their parents with 
thankfulness and gratitude, and thine aged servant, to 
whom, in an especial manner, belong " shame and con- 



186 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

fusion of face," while she stands amazed at the stately 
steps of thy free, sovereign mercy and grace to her, 
and to her seed according to the flesh. " Husband of 
the widow, Father of the fatherless, Shield of the 
stranger," (all these thou hast been to me,) glorify thy 
name, magnify thy grace. Exercise these parents with 
deep humility : if they have received grace to be more 
faithful than I ; yet thine holy eye has seen much short 
coming in them also. Glory to thy name for the grace 
in which they stand, and that thou hast enabled them 
to keep these lambs out of the world. Let this be a 
heart-searching time with us all ; humble us, and exalt 
thy name, and magnify thy grace. 

O Lord, my covenant God, all my desire is before 
thee ; is it not that thou magnify thy grace in me and 
in my family ? There are others, Lord, and the resi- 
due of the Spirit is with thee. Put forth thy power in 
the heart of I. G. S., and compel him to come in. 
And, O my dear J. S. and her family; thou biddest 
me open my mouth wide. Lord, see, there is much 
for thee to do. I praise thy name for what thou hast 
done, and lay me at thy feet, waiting for further mani- 
festations of thy mercy, thy sovereign mercy ; I have no 
other plea. 

Work with us for thy name's sake, and with J. M — , 
for whom my worthless prayers have been presented to 
thee, as also a member of this family. O Lord, he- is now 
gone out into the world ! he is no longer under the control 
of man : bring him under thy gracious control ; call him 
into thy kingdom of grace, and make him a willing 
subject in the day of thy power. 

Father, glorify thy name ! 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 187 



Greenwich, June 11, 1813. 
In my large light closet, and in my airy comfortable 
room ; the prospect from my windows, such as I have 
ever delighted in ; woods and water, flower-garden, and 
fruit trees, and beautiful shrubs of various kinds, all as 
much mine, as if my own individual property, by the 
laws of the land in which I live ; surrounded with 
books, and my children's rich library at my command ; 
enjoying rich Gospel ordinances under a holy and able 
pastor, with pious, affectionate, sensible church members ; 
a carriage to convey me, Sabbath, and week days, to 
places of worship ; children, whose desire is, that I may 
enjoy all these, to the full, without care or trouble, they 
caring for me : with all these a large measure of health, 
why then these tears? Are they all for sin? Lord, 
search and see. Does no wounded pride, no selfish 
hurt, mingle with that better feeling ? Ah! Lord, thou 
knowest. I have detected much, and mourn and w T eep 
on that account ; but, I fear there is yet much con- 
cealed and working, that I know not. I have set 
apart the remainder of this day for fasting and humi- 
liation on account of past sins, which I already know, 
and for yet further search into what I know not of at 
present. Lord, give me heart -searching exercises. Glory, 
glory, glory, to Father, Son, and blessed Comforter, 
that I am forgiven ; thy Spirit witnesseth with my spirit, 
that I am forgiven. Thou hast given me faith in the 
truth of thy testimony, that the blood of Christ cleanseth 
from all sin — that this is thine own provision for sinners 
— that Christ died for the ungodly — that while we were 
yet sinners, Christ died for us— that Christ hath loved 
us, and given himself for us— that " God so loved the 
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that who- 



188 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

soever believeth on him should not perish, but have ever- 
lasting life." These last words came from thine 
own lips of flesh. Thou Gift of God to a perishing 
world, and to me, one of the most guilty in it ; Thou 
also saidst, " He that believeth on the Son hath ever- 
lasting life." Thy Spirit witnesseth with my spirit, that 
to me it is given, on the behalf of Christ to believe in 
him. Philippians, i. 29. Therefore I have everlasting 
life. Him who was slain, and hanged on a tree, " Him 
hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give 
repentance and remission of sins :" from this exalted 
Prince I have repentance and forgiveness of sin, and, 
therefore, I dare look at my sins : I look with grief, but 
not with terror. Though forgiven, and though provision 
is made for forgiveness, I still find sin to bean evil and a 
bitter thing. 

This day is set apart for mourning. I desire to 
search, to know more of my vileness, that I may mourn 
yet more ; that while my heart is wrung for mine in- 
gratitude, the Lord may make it the means of crucifying 
my sins, especially that which " so easily besets me ;" 
I would pour forth the prayer of faith, that they may be 
forgiven, and also that I may be delivered from their 
power in my heart ; that I may be clothed with humility, 
being made so humble, that nothing can hurt me, wearing 
my Redeemer's yoke, leaning upon him who was u meek 
and lowly," that I may find rest to my soul. Now, Lord, 
exercise me for the rest of the day, and let to-morrow be 
the beginning of days. 



Ten o'clock at night. 
The day is spent, and I look for the blessing. It 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 18^ 

has not been spent so much in my usual way of 
retracing, confessing, and bewailing, but with Owen, 
on the subject of depravity, of purification, and the 
means appointed by God. The blood of Christ is the 
only effectual mean, not only as atonement for sin, 
setting us free from condemnation : but also for cleans- 
ing, as sprinkled on the conscience by the Holy Ghost, 
and purging it from dead works. There are means in 
which we are to exercise ourselves, depending on the 
Spirit for benefit. We are to work in the faith that 
God works in us. Mortification is one mean ; and, 
though the mortification of the body is, perhaps, one 
of the lowest, I think it is of divine appointment, 
therefore, not to be neglected. I have been also study- 
ing the deaih of Christ, and his previous sufferings ; 
the unbelief, the opposition, contradiction, contempt, 
and cruel mocking, which he endured ; and his meek- 
patience, and submission, under them ; healing 
Malchus's ear, praying for his murderers ; my desire 
being, that, as the children of Israel were healed by 
looking to the brazen serpent, I may be healed by 
looking to the uplifted Jesus ; the Spirit producing the 
effect ; and as the woman with the bloody issue was 
healed by a touch, exercising faith in the power of 
Christ, so I may be healed by a look, exercising the same 
faith : the Spirit producing the effect of conformity to his 
example : working in me that meek and lowly spirit for 
which I have heen praying. And now, by grace commu- 
nicated, I hope to watch over my spirit with more success 
than formerly. 

I wait for thy salvation. 



1S14. 
Joel, ii. 2. " A day of darkness and of gloominess, a 



190 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning 
spread upon the mountains. 9 ' 

Not in temporals, nor in the means of grace ; every 
thing that earth can afford is gathered into my present 
cup : it is full, and runs over with earthly good, and a 
large measure of health to enjoy it : moral temporals are 
also mine in no common degree ; friendship, society 
at my choice, and respectability in it ; rich means of 
grace within my reach ; my Bible, and books of every 
kind, and great variety, at my hand, of instruction and 
of devotion. Mine eyes see my teachers, and my judg- 
ment approves of their doctrine, as corresponding with 
that sure word of testimony, ' given me as the test of all 
human writings.' Yet it is a day of darkness and of 
gloom. 

Isaiah, i. 10. " Who is among you that feareth the 
Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh 
in darkness and hath no light ? Let him trust in the name 
of the Lord, and stay himself upon his God." 

To trust in the name of the Lord, and to stay myself 
upon my God, is still my privilege, and (though with 
little life and little comfort) my experience ; my mind 
is so desultory, that my Bible, and the helps derived from 
men's deductions and experiences, seem useless ; they are 
not blessed as means to fix my heart ; trifles of every sort 
pass and repass often ; while mine eyes read the words, 
my mind is gone in a dream on some other subject ; my 
heart remains unimpressed, my mind uninformed ; the 
same in prayer, especially in secret, and in the family ; 
less so in the sanctuary. 

I seem, as to apprehension, left to my own dark, 
dismal, carnal life ; naked faith on the finished work of 
my Redeemer is all that supports me ; and that this is a 
bare preventive of fear, and source of a hope that " I 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 191 

shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance 
and my God." I know that his covenant stands fast, I 
have taken hold of it: I do, at this cold and stupid 
moment, place my confidence in it. Christ is God's 
Covenant ; God's gift to sinners ; I believe it ; he is the 
Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world ; 
I believe it ; I believe on the Son for all the purposes 
for which God has sent him into the world ; therefore I 
have everlasting life : I believe the record that God gave 
of his Son — that God hath given to me eternal life, and 
this life is in his Son, not in me, but in union with him. 
" He that hath the Son, hath life ; he that hath not the 
Son, hath not life." John, v. 

I thank thee, my God, that thou hast not left me to 
cast away my confidence in Christ. I have life in him, 
and no life but as I have it from him. Thou seest how- 
it is with me ; thou art my reconciled Father in Christ, 
but thou hast shut me out from thy presence. I do 
not enjoy thee ; my poor heart is tossed from trifle to 
trifle. It has been my way through life to destroy my- 
self, and thy way to deliver me. Thou has been very 
gracious to me in my old age. I have enjoyed much 
of thy presence in thy sanctuary, and in my private 
hours ; and although sin has dwelt, and does dwell, in 
me, I have enjoyed thy forgiving grace, and have tasted 
thy love, far beyond what I have for weeks past. 
" Search me, O God, and know my heart ; try me, and 
know my thoughts ; and see if there be any wicked way 
in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Show me 
wherefore thou contendest with me. Ani I living in 
the indulgence of any known wilful sin, or in the ha- 
bitual neglect of any known duty ? Lord, " it is not in 
man that walketh to direct his steps." I know I have 
been unthankful, unwatchful, idle; alas! this is my 



192 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

ordinary course; meanwhile, my Lord God continues 
merciful and gracious, not marking iniquity against me, 
but forgiving me daily, leading me to the blood of sprink- 
ling, giving me contrition, and restoring me to his favour, 
by giving me " joy and peace in believing.'' Help, Lord, 
give me heart -searching exercises. I read thy word ; I 
set about that to which thou callest me. I set apart this 
day for fasting, but the gracious exercises are not in 
me. Come, O come, and exercise me. Exalted Prince ! 
give repentance and remission ; in thy light let me see 
light. 

Joel, ii. 12. " Therefore now turn ye unto me with all 
your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and mourning ; 
rend your heart and not your garments ; turn unto the 
Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to 
anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the 
evil." Do I not know thee by this name? Has it not 
been thy name to me throughout this wide wilderness, 
" pardoning iniquity, transgression, and sin V Thou hast 
prepared a prayer for me— " Turn me, and I shall be 
turned, for thou art the Lord my God." Jer. xxxi. IS. 
I look to thy new covenant in the same chapter; it is 
all promise, I can do nothing in it. Christ, by thine own 
appointment, answers for my part, or rather, I have no 
part. 1 can render nothing to the Lord for all his 
benefits to me. I will put forth the withered hand, to 
« take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the 
Lord." 

Ten o'clock. The day is spent-I have confessed, and 
endeavoured to turn to the Lord with mourning, but with 
little sensibility. . 

I attended meeting in the evening, heard two excel- 
lent discourses on the priesthood of Christ, and joined 
in two prayers and three hymns, with more fixed atten- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 193 

lion than has been my attainment lately ; for this, I 
thank thee, my God. Many have been the beginnings 
of days, and of months, which thou hast afforded after 
backsliding, Add this to the number I Psalm cxliii. 
" Hear my prayer, O Lord ; give ear to my supplication ; 
in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. 
Enter not into judgment with thy servant, for in thy sight 
shall no flesh living be justified. 

" My spirit is overwhelmed within me, my heart within 
me is desolate. I stretch out my hands unto thee ; my 
soul thirsteth after thee, in a thirsty land. Hear me 
speedily, O Lord : my spirit faileth ; hide not thy face 
from me, lest I be like unto those that go down into the 
pit. Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning, 
for in thee do I trust : cause me to know the way wherein 
I should walk, for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver 
me, O Lord, from mine enemies : I flee unto thee to hide 
me. Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God, Thy 
Spirit is good, lead me into the land of uprightness. 
Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake ; for thy 
righteousness' sake, bring my soul out of trouble." 

I wait for thy salvation. 



This heart my Jesus bought with blood, 

It is his honest claim ; 
O seize it, fix it, Saviour God ; 

To give it is my aim. 

Take full possession of this heart, 
And here set up thy throne ; 

Command each idol to depart, 
And make it all thine own. 

O dare I not to thee appeal, 

That 'tis my first desire, 
That on this heart thou stamp thy seal, 

And grave it with love's fire ? 
K 



194 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

To fix this heart to stray no more, 
1 ev'n would quit the clay : 

Would hasten on to Jordan's shore, 
And plough the wat'ry way. 

No chilling fear my soul should move, 
With Jesus in my heart ; 

Each passion swallow'd up in love, 
I'd court the friendly dart. 

The resurrection and the life, 
In death itself he'll prove ; 

And, while he closes mortal strife, 
Breathe his own life of love. 

Then boast not, monster, of thy sting, 
Nor of thy vict'ry, grave, 

In th' arms of God's anointed King, 
I dare thy fiercest brave. 



July 17, 1S14. 

Sacrament Sabbath. Mr. R. preached from 1 Peter, 
i. S, 9. " Whom having not seen ye love ; in whom, though 
now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy un- 
speakable and full of glory ; receiving the end of your 
faith, even the salvation of your souls. " 

I had requested to be brought into my Lord's ban- 
quetting-house, and to be feasted with love this day. I 
ate the bread and drank the wine, in the faith that I 
ate the flesh and drank the blood of the Son of man, 
and dwelt in him and he in me. I took a close view of 
my familiar friend Death, accompanied with the pre- 
sence of my Saviour, " his sensible presence." I cannot 
look at it without this : it is my only petition con- 
cerning it. I have had desires relative to certain cir- 
cumstances, but they are nearly gone. It is my sincere 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 195 

desire that God may be glorified, and he knows best 
how and by what circumstances. I retain my one 
petition, 

" Only to me thy countenance shew, 
I ask no more the Jordan through." 



K2 



PROVISION 

FOR 

iWg Hast ^Jtjurnee tljrougij tit msttmm, 

AND 

PASSAGE OVER JORDAN*. 



Joshua, i. 11., and chap. iii. c Prepare your victuals ; 
for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to 
go in to possess the land which the Lord your God giveth 
you to possess it. When ye see the Ark of the Covenant 
cf the Lord your God, and the priests bearing it, then ye 
shall remove, and go after it : that ye may know the way 
by which ye must go, for ye have not passed this way 
heretofore. 

4 Sanctify yourselves, for to-morrow the Lord will do 
wonders among you. 

4 Behold, the ark of the Covenant of the Lord of all 
the earth, passeth over before you into Jordan ; and it 
shall come to pass, that as soon as the soles of the feet 
of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, — the Lord of 
all the earth, — shall rest in the waters, that the waters of 
Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down 
from above : and they shall stand upon a heap. 

1 And it came to pass, when the people removed from 

* Found in Mrs. Graham's pocket after her decease. 



LIFE AND WRITINGS, &C. 197 

their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing 
the Ark of the Covenant before the people, that, as they 
that bare the Ark were come into Jordan, and the feet 
of the priests were dipped in the brim of the water, that 
the waters that came down from above stood and rose 
up upon a heap ; and the priests that bare the Ark of 
the Covenant of the Lord, stood firm on dry ground in 
the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on 
dry ground. 

4 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of 
Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests that 
bare the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord stood ; and 
they are there unto this day. 

*■ When your children shall ask their fathers in time 
to come, saying, What mean these stones ? Ye shall 
let your children know, saying, Israel came over this 
Jordan, on dry land : for the Lord your God dried up 
the waters from before you until ye were passed over, 
as the Lord, your God did to the Red Sea, which he 
dried up until we were passed over. That all people 
of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is 
mighty : that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever. 
Amen/ 

Oh ! Thou Jehovah ! Israel's God, and, by thy new 
covenant, my God ; thus far hast thou brought me 
through the wilderness ; bearing, chastising, forgiving, 
restoring. Well hast thou made out thy wilderness 
name to me, * The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and 
gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and 
truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, 
transgression, and sin.' Great have been my provo- 
cations, but greater still thy covenant mercy. I have 
not perished with them that believed not; sore bitten 
I am, but thou hast fixed mine eyes on the lifted up 



196 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Healer, and I am in his hand for further cure. My 
journey has been long, and my way devious ; but my 
blessed Joshua is still in view. I must be near to 
Jordan's flood ; I have been preparing victuals from thine 
own repository of truth. And now, my blessed High 
Priest, and Ark of the Covenant, lead on my stag- 
gering steps a little further. I have not gone this way 
heretofore, but thou hast measured these waters while 
they overflowed all their banks. Thou hast passed 
through, and made the passage safe for thy people. 
At thy command, the waters stand up upon a heap, 
and they pass through, in thy presence, on Faith's firm 
ground, Keep then mine eye upon thee, and I shall 
fear no evil. And, oh, my blessed Leader, if it might 
please thee, I would ask a boon, yet with submission, 
that thy sensible presence might be with me all the 
way through ; and that thou wouldst bring from my 
quivering lips a testimony to the glory of thy grace, 
that my children may know that thou hast pardoned, 
restored, and perfected me; that thou hast dried up 
the waters of terror, carried me triumphantly through,, 
and put me in possession of the purchased inheritance. 
Amen. 

1 Timothy, i. 15. ' This is a faithful saying, and 
worthy of all acceptation, That Christ Jesus came into 
the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.' 

I have often inquired, What is there within us, or 
without us, on which a sinner can rest in peace in a 
dying hour ? If it be a holy life, there can be no peace 
for me — taking the law of God for my standard ; back- 
slider is my name ; yet I think in this sacred volume 
I find a hope even for me, the chief of sinners. 

John, iii. 14. ' As Moses lifted up the serpent in 
the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 199 

up, what whosoever believeth on him should not perish 
but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, 
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever 
believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal 
life. For God sent not his Son into the world, to 
condemn the world, but that the world through him 
might be saved. Verse 31. He that cometh from 
heaven is above all, and what he hath seen and heard? 
that he testifieth. Verse S3. He that receiveth his 
testimony, hath set to his seal, that God is true. Verse 
35. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all 
things into his hand: he that believeth on the Son hath 
everlasting life.' Here is a hope for me; the world 
is made up of sinners, I am one of them : and though 
the chief, am not excluded. Matthew, xviii. 11. ' The 
Son of man came to save that which was lost ;' I am 
of that description. Matthew, ix. 13. ' The Pharisees 
said, Why eateth your master with publicans and sin- 
ners ? Jesus said, The whole need not a physician, but 
they that are sick/ I am a sinner and sick. — ; I will have 
mercy and not sacrifice, for I am not come to call the 
righteous, but sinners to repentance/ I am a sinner, 
and need repentance. — l Him hath God exalted with 
his right hand, to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give 
repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel/ Acts, iii. 31. 
2 Peter, iii. 9. ' The Lord is long-suffering, not willing 
that any should perish ; but that all should come to 
repentance/ 

Christ said to the woman of Samaria, a notorious 
sinner, John, iv. 10. ' If thou knewest the gift of God, 
and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou 
wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given 
thee living water. Whosoever drinketh of this water, 
shall thirst again; but whosoever drinketh of the water 



200 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

that I shall give him, shall never thirst ; but the water 
that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water 
springing up into everlasting life.' Yes, my Redeemer, 
a draught of this water, received in faith from the 
hand of the Spirit, will give life in death. O pour 
it into my thirsty soul, in that searching hour! Jesus 
said to a mixed multitude of sinners like me, John, vi. 27. 
I Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that 
meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which 
the Son of man shall give unto you ; for him hath 
God the Father sealed.' These sinners said unto him, 
' What shall we do, that we might work the works 
of God? He replied, Believe on him whom he 
hath sent. My Father giveth you the true Bread from 
heaven, for the Bread of God is he which cometh 
down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. I 
am the Bread of life ; he that cometh unto me, shall 
never hunger ; and he that believeth on me shall never 
thirst. I am the living Bread which came down from 
heaven ; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for 
ever. And the Bread which I shall give is my flesh, 
which I will give for the life of the world. Jesus said 
unto them, Except ye eat the flesh and drink the 
blood, of the Son of man, ye have no life in your 
whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth 
in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent 
me, and I live by the Father : so he that eateth me, 
even he shall live by me." The Father giveth this 
Bread, the Son giveth this Bread : whosever will, may- 
take of this Bread, and the promise with it. Father, 
I take this Bread ; I take, and believe that I have in 
thee eternal life, according to thy word. O holy and 
blessed Comforter, Spirit of the Father, and of the Son, 
whose office it is to take of the things of Christ, and 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 201 

show them unto his redeemed ; when the bread and 
the water that perish, can no longer refresh this dying 
body, apply this living Bread and living Water to my 
soul, that life may spring up in the midst of death ; 
and in that trying hour, bear witness with my spirit 
that I dwell in Christ, and Christ in me, and that I shall 
never die. 

John vii. 37. ' In the last day, that great day of 
the feast, Jesus stood and cried, If any man thirst, let 
him come unto me and drink : he that believeth on me, 
as the Scripture hath said, Out of his belly shall flow 
rivers of living water. This spake he of the Spirit 
that they who believe on him should receive.' This 
he proclaimed to a mixed multitude of sinners like my- 
self. Lord, I believe, and am sure, that thou art that 
Christ the Son of the living God. Be unto me ac- 
cording to thy word. John xi. 25. ' I am the resur- 
rection and the life : he that believeth on me, though 
he were dead, yet shall he live ; and whosoever liyeth 
and believeth on me shall never die. Believes t thou 
this V I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of 
the living God, which should come into the world : the 
promised Messiah : the Gift of the Father : the Cove- 
nant given to the people : the anointed Prophet and 
King, and consecrated High Priest ; who, through the 
eternal Spirit, offeredst thyself, without spot, unto God : 
who earnest to do that most perfect will of God, by 
which we are sanctified through the offering of the body 
of Christ once for all. Lamb of God, which takest 
away the sins of the world, on thee I lay my precious 
never-dyingr soul : wash me in thy blood ; clothe me 
in thy righteousness ; sanctify me, soul, spirit, and body, 
to thy service. I have no other foundation of hope, 
nothing within me ; nothing without me ; my entire 

K 5 



202 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

dependance is on thy finished work ; into thy hands I 
commit my spirit. 

Let me hear thy consoling voice, compassionate Sa- 
viour. John, xiv. 1. 'Let not your heart be troubled ; 
ye believe in God, believe also in me ; in my Father's 
house are many mansions ; if it were not so, I would 
have told you ; I go to prepare a place for you ; I 
will ^corne again and receive you unto myself, that 
where I am there ye may be also.' Seal this upon 
my heart and it is enough. To be where thou art, is 
heaven enough for me. To be where thou art, to see 
thee as thou art, and to be made like thee, the last 
sinful motion for ever past : no more opposition, no more 
weariness, listlessness, dryness, deaciness ; but con- 
formed to my Blessed Head, every way capacitated to 
serve him and to enjoy him — this is heaven. ' Jesus 
said, I am the way, the truth, and the life ; no man 
cometh to the Father but by me.' Blessed Com- 
forter, do thine office ; take these things of Christ, and 
show them unto me ; lead me in this way, feed me 
with this truth, and animate me with this life : ' What- 
soever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, that will 
I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If 
ye ask any thing in my name, I will do it.' Blessed 
Comforter, here also do thine office ; I know not what 
to ask for as I ought ; help mine infirmities, as thou 
hast said : suggest the prayer, be in me the Spirit of 
prayer and supplication, and especially in that hour of 
need, when sickness saps the clayey tabernacle, discom- 
posing the spirit, and confusing perhaps the ideas ; 
still, still, let my thoughts rise to my God. Let no 
unhallowed subject get hold of me in that hour ; but 
keep my Saviour's name in my heart and on my lips. 
Is not this according to thy will ? Watch over it then ; 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 203 

and keep the avenues of my soul from every vain idea. 
' If ye love me keep my commandments ; and I will 
pray the Father, and he shall give you another Com- 
forter, that he may abide with you for ever: even the 
Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because 
it seeth him not, neither knoweth him : but ye knov/ 
him, for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. He 
that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is 
that loveth me ; and he that loveth me, shall be loved of 
my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself 
unto him : and we will come and make our abode with 
him. The Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom 
the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all 
things, and bring all things to your remembrance, what- 
soever I have said unto you. Peace 1 leave with you ; 
my peace I give unto you : not as the world giveth, give 
I unto you : let not your heart be troubled, neither let it 
be afraid.' In that last warfare when nothing on earth 
can give peace ; when the world recedes and disappears ; 
when friends must stand aloof, and leave me to the 
combat alone : O blessed and promised Comforter, bring 
to my remembrance, and impress on my weary spirit, 
these sweet words of my Saviour. But it has often 
occurred to me, and may in that hour, that though 
Jesus received sinners, they were ignorant sinners. The 
Jews understood not the Gospel contained in their types 
and sacrifices ; they were unenlightened and unconverted. 
The Gentiles were totally blind, serving dumb idols ; 
neither had known the Gospel ; neither had tasted the 
grace of God ; neither backslided like me. I have known 
the truth, been enlightened, have tasted of the heavenly 
gift, been made a partaker of the Holy Ghost, and haye 
tasted of the good word of God, and of the power of the 
world to come. 

K Q 



204* LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Fifty years ago, the Lord convinced me of my sin, my 
misery, and my total helplessness. I was also, I think, 
enabled to lay hold on the hope set before me. 

I have, in numerous exercises and acts, accepted of 
God's gift of Jesus Christ to me a condemned sinner ; 
taking hold of the Scripture words of invitation and 
promise held out for my acceptance. I have pleaded 
his own covenant provision, in the substitution of his 
own Son in my room and stead, 'making him to be 
sin, who knew no sin, that sinners might be made the 
righteousness of God in him.' I put in my claim as a 
sinner, among the ungodly for whom Christ died. I 
believed his testimony, and set to my seal that God is 
true. I rested on this foundation — I yet have no other 
— I know there is no other.-— The foundation standeth 
sure. But what am I to think of the fruits ! I have 
again and again turned back into the world : grieved 
the Spirit, crucified the Son of God afresh, and put 
him to open shame. No wonder that I stand alarmed 
at the Apostle's assertion ; my conscience testifies that 
my character is nearly, if not altogether, such as the 
Apostle, by the Holy Spirit, says : it is impossible to 
renew it to repentance, Hebrews, vi, 4, 5. But thou 
hast renewed to repentance ! Thy name is ' The Lord, 
the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, 
and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for 
thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. 
Thou wilt by no means clear the guilty ;' but thou hast 
provided a substitute, and laid my guilt, and guilty 
person, on thine own Son. 

By this gracious name thou wast known to thy back- 
sliding Israel in the wilderness ; whose heart, like mine, 
was not right with God : neither were they steadfast 
in his covenant: but he, 'being full of compassion. 



M&S. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 203 

forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not.* Many 
a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all 
his wrath. They forgot God their Saviour, who had 
done great things for them ; they transgressed his com- 
mandment, and in their heart turned back again to 
Egypt ; they brought upon themselves many afflictions, 
and many times did he deliver them ; they provoked 
him with their counsel ; and were brought low for their 
iniquity ; nevertheless, he heard their cry, and repented, 
according to the multitude of his mercies ; while the 
blood of bulls and of goats typified the great propitia- 
tory Sacrifice, by which c God can be just, and justify 
the ungodly.' By this name (merciful and gracious) 
was the Lord God known in the pleasant land : and by 
the same sacrifice, the blood of Christ, which cleanseth 
from all sin, was typified, Psalms ciii. and li. The 
prophets prophesied in his name. ' All we like sheep 
have gone astray, and the Lord hath laid on him the 
iniquity of us all. He was wounded for our transgres- 
sions, and bruised for our iniquities : the chastisement 
of our peace was laid on him, and by his stripes we are 
healed. Deliver them from going down to the pit; I 
have found a ransom/ Even backsliders, (among 
whom I stand chief have been recalled. Jeremiah, 
ii. ' My people have committed two great evils ; they 
have forsaken the fountain of living waters, and have 
hewn out to themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that 
can hold no water. Is Israel a servant ; is he a home- 
born slave ? wherefore is he spoiled ? Hast thou not 
procured this to thyself, in that thou hast forsaken the 
Lord thy God, when he led thee by the way ? And 
now, what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to 
drink the waters of Sihor ? What hast thou to do m 
the way of Syria, to drink the waters of the river ? 



206 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy 
backslidings shall reprove thee. Know therefore, and 
see, that it is an evil and bitter thing that thou hast 
forsaken the Lord thy God ; and that my fear is not 
in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts. For of old, I 
have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands ; and thou 
saidst, I will not transgress ; when upon every high 
hill, and under every green tree, thou wanderest, play- 
ing the harlot. Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, 
w r holly a right seed ; how art thou turned into the de- 
generate plant of a strange vine unto me ? Why gad- 
dest thou about so much, to change thy way ? Thou 
also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed 
of Assyria. Have I been a barren wilderness, or a land 
of darkness unto thee ? Wherefore say my people, 
We are lords, and will come no more unto thee ? Can 
a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire ? 
Yet my people have forgotten me, days without num- 
ber/ Jeremiah, iii. i They say, if a man put away his 
wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, 
shall he return to her again ? Shall not that land be 
greatly polluted ? But thou hast played the harlot with 
many lovers ; yet return again unto me, saith the Lord ; 
wilt thou not from this time, cry unto me, My Father, 
thou art the guide of my youth?' What can I say to 
such grace ? Thou art infinite in thy mercy to pardon 
and in thy power to save ! Sinful indeed has been my 
character, and amazing the mercy of my offended God ; 
Often, often has he pardoned, restored, blessed, and 
made me happy. But, just is the renewed charge 
against me. ' For the house of Israel, and the house 
of Judah have dealt very treacherously with me, saith 
the Lord. They have belied the Lord, and said, 
It is not he, neither shall evil come upon us.' Verse 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 207 

12. ! Go, and proclaim these words, and say, Return, 
thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord, and I will not 
cause mine anger to fall upon you : for I am merciful, 
saith the Lord, I will not keep anger for ever. Only 
acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed 
against the Lord thy God ; and ye have not obeyed 
my voice, saith the Lord. Turn, O backsliding chil- 
dren, for I am married unto you.' What can I say to 
such grace ! Truly, i thy ways are not as our ways, 
nor thy thoughts as our thoughts ! For, as the heavens 
are higher than the earth, so are thy ways higher than 
our ways, and thy thoughts than our thoughts !' How 
is my guilt aggravated by all this grace ? And yet thou 
callest, " Return !" And thou thyself turnest me: I do, 
O Lord God, merciful and gracious, I do acknowledge 
mine iniquity ; every time I turn back mine eyes upon 
my past life, my sins rise in magnitude, heightened by 
more enlarged views of thy goodness. At every age, 
in every place, in whatever situation and circumstances, 
my conscience testifies to this spiritual adultery. 
4 Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her 
husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, saith 
the Lord.' I acknowledge the justice of the charge: 
and it is of the Lord's mercies that I am not consumed : 
because his compassions fail not. ' A voice was heard 
upon the high places, weeping and supplication of 
the children of Israel, for they have perverted their 
ways, and they have forgotten the Lord their Gcd. 
Yes, thou hast, my gracious Gocl, granted repentance. 
Thine eye has seen the tears I have shed; thou hast 
given me a contrite heart. I have looked upon him 
whom I have pierced, and been in bitterness, as for 
a first-born. I feel it now, and must feel it, while 
the body of sin exists. But, O Lord God, merciful 



208 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

and gracious, the cause is in thyself, that I hear thy 
voice, and that I answer. ' Return, ye backsliding 
children, and I will heal your backslidings ! Behold, I 
come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God ! Truly, 
in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and the 
multitude of mountains. Truly in the Lord God is the 
salvation of Israel ; we lie down in our shame, our con- 
fusion covereth us : for we have sinned against the 
Lord our God ; we and our fathers, even from our 
youth ; and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord 
God. Thus saith the Lord God, I will even deal with 
thee as thou hast done, who hast despised the oath, in 
breaking the covenant. Nevertheless, I will remember 
my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth ; and 
I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant, and 
thou shalt know that I am the Lord : that thou mayest 
remember and be confounded, and never open thy 
mouth any more, because of thy shame, when I am 
pacified towards thee, saith the Lord God/ Amen, 
Lord God, merciful and gracious ! Be it so. — It is so 
now, — it must, it will be so, until death shall open mine 
eyes on that mystery — the glory of God arising out of 
the abounding of sin, through the super- abounding of 
grace, and grace reigning through righteousness unto 
eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord ! Till then, 
while sin dwelleth in me, let me enjoy the blessedness 
of a contrite heart ; yea, even " shame and confusion, ?> 
since it is the sign that thou art pacified with me. 
Thou hast dealt with me, thou hast chastened ; and, 
in some instances, taken vengeance on my inventions. 
But thou art pacified with me, and I dare look again to 
thy holy temple ; to the temple not made with hands ; 
to the Minister of the sanctuary, and the true taber- 
nacle which the Lord pitched, and not man ; to the 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 209 

blessed High Priest, who, through the Eternal Spirit, 
offered himself a sacrifice, without spot, unto God ; 
and, by his own blood, entered in once into the holy 
place, having obtained eternal redemption for us : and, 
when he had purged our sins, sat down on the right 
hand of the Majesty on high. I dare look to the 
blessed Mediator of the new and better covenant esta- 
blished on better promises ; to the Surety of the New 
Testament which is sealed with liis own blood/ I 
will look unto Jesus, the Object, the Author and the 
Finisher of that Faith which interests in himself, and 
the whole of his purchase. He bids me look unto him 
and be saved. I do look unto him, and I am saved. 
Who dares condemn the sinner whom Christ acquits i 
Who shall lay any thing to his charge ? 4 It is Christ 
that died ; yea, rather who is risen again : who is even 
at the right hand of God ; who also maketh intercession 
for us!' 



Isaiah, xliv. 22. Return unto me, fyc. 

(A Scripture Paraphrase by D. B.) 

Return to thee, my God ! Dost thou 
The invitation yet renew ? 
Return to thee ! my chiefest joy, 
Till sin did all my peace destroy. 

And yet to hear thy pard'ning voice, 
Must make my trembling heart rejoice : 
Though sin is there, thou well dost know. 
It is my burden and my foe. 

O let me hear those gracious words ; 
Be still, my soul, they are the Lord's ; 



210 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

That God, who once on thee did shine, 
And fill'd thee with a hope divine. 

* Thy black transgressions, trembling soul, 
Thy sin so heinous and so foul, 
Which, like a cioud, obscure thy day, 
I've blotted out, I've wash'd away. 

1 Return to me, thou'rt mine; I own 
Thee for my servant, and my son ; 
I have redeemed thy precious soul ; 
And none my purchase shall control/ 

I hear, I come, my cov'nant God ! 
Thy love's my life, my raiment, food ; 
Thy favour, through my Jesus given, 
Is to my soul the bliss of heaven. 

I come, my Jesus, hold me fast, 
Till life and Jordan's journey past ; 
My faith to vision yield her place, 
And I shall see thy unveil'd face. 

Then, with the loudest of the throng, 
Of sins forgiv'n I'll raise the song ; 
Of Pardon bought with Jesus' blood, 
Sinners made Kings and Priests to God. 



Psalm ciii. Fifty years ago, 

4 Oh ! thou my soul, bless God the Lord, 

And all that in me is 
Be stirred up, his holy name 
To magnify and bless.' 

Bless, O my soul, the Lord thy God, 

And not forgetful be, 
Of all his gracious benefits, 

He hath bestow'd on thee. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 211 

All thine iniquities, who doth 

Most graciously forgive ; 
Who thy diseases all and pains, 

Doth heal, and thee relieve. 

Who doth redeem thy life, that thou 

To death mayst not go down ; 
Who thee with loving-kindness doth 

And tender mercies crown. 

Who, with abundance of good things, 

Doth satisfy thy mouth ; 
So that, even as the eagle's age, 

Renewed is thy youth. 

God righteous judgment executes 

For all oppressed ones ; 
His way to Moses, he his acts 

Made known to Israel's sons. 

The Lord our God is merciful, 

And he is gracious ; 
Long- suffering, and slow to wrath ; 

In mercy plenteous. 

He will not chide continually, 

Nor keep his anger still : 
With us he dealt not as we sinn'd, 

Nor did requite our ill. 

For as the heaven in its height 

The earth surmounteth far ; 
So great to those that do him fear, 

His tender mercies are. 

As far as east is distant from 

The west, so far hath he 
From us removed in his love 

All our iniquity. 

Such pity as a father hath 

Unto his children dear, 
Like pity shows the Lord to such 

As worship him in fear. 



212 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

For he remembers we are dust, 

And he our frame well knows : 
Frail man ! his days are like the grass, 
As flow'r in field he grows. 

For over it the wind doth pass 

And it away is gone ; 
And, of the place where once it was, • 

It 6hall no more be known. 

But unto them that do him fear, 
God's mercy never ends ; 

And to his children's children still 
His righteousness extends. 

To such as keep his covenant, 

And mindful are alway 
Of his most just commandments, 

That they may them obey ; 

The Lord prepared hath his throne 
In heaven firm to stand ; 

And ev'ry thing that being hath, 
His kingdom doth command. 

O ye his angels, that excel 
In strength, bless ye the Lord ; 

Ye who obey what he commands, 
And hearken to his word. 

O bless and magnify the Lord, 

Ye glorious hosts of his ; 

Ye ministers, that do fulfil 

Whate'er his pleasure is. 

O bless the Lord, all ye his works 
"Wherewith the world is stor'd, 

In his dominions every where, 
My soul, bless thou the Lord. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 213 

John xiv. ' I will not leave you comfortless ; I will 
come unto you ; yet a little while, and the world seeth 
me no more ; hut ye see me ; because I live, ye shall 
live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in the 
Father, and you in me, and I in you ! Believest thou 
not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me ? 
He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father. How- 
beit, when the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you 
into all truth. He shall glorify me, for he shall receive 
of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that 
the Father hath are mine : therefore said I, he shall 
take of mine and shall show it unto you/ John, xvii. 
4 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which 
shall believe on me through their word : that they all 
may be one, as thou, Father, art in me and I in thee, 
that they may be one in us ; that the world may be- 
lieve that thou hast sent me ; and the glory which thou 
gavest me, I have given them, that they may be one, 
even as we are one. I in them, and thou in me, that 
they may be made perfect in one ; that the world may 
know that thou hast sent me : and hast loved them, as 
thou hast loved me : Father, I will that they also, 
whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, 
that they may behold my glory which thou hast given 
me : for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the 
world.' 1 Cor. iii. 22. c All are yours, and ye are 
Christ's, and Christ is God's.' Col. iii. 3. ' Ye are dead 
and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ 
who is our Life, shall appear, then shall we appear with 
him in glory.' Col. ii. 9. c For in him dwelleth all the 
fulness of the Godhead bodily ; and ye are complete 
in him, who is the Head of all principality and power,' 
Eph. iv. 4. i There is one body, and one spirit, even as 
ye are called in one hope of your calling : one Lord, 



214 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who 
is above all, and through all, and in you all : and unto 
every one of us is given grace, according to the measure 
of the gift of Christ. ' 

Gal. ii. 20. i 1 am crucified -with Christ : nevertheless, 
I live : yet not I, but Christ liveth in me ; and the life 
which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son 
of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.' 

John, i. 20. ' Behold the Lamb of God, which tak- 
eth away the sins of the world. And looking upon 
Jesus as he walked, John said, Behold, the Lamb of 
God.' 

1 Cor. iii. 21. ' Therefore let no man glory in man, for 
all things are yours : whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, 
or the w T orld, or life, or death, or things present, or things 
to come ; all are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ 
is God's !' 

Lam. iii. 27. ' It is good for a man that he bear the 
yoke in his youth ; he sitteth alone, and keepeth silence ; 
he putteth his mouth in the dust, if so there may be hope ; 
he giveth his cheek to them that smite him ; he is filled 
with reproach.' 

Ezek. xvi. 63. 'That thou mayest remember, and be 
confounded, and never open thy mouth any more, because 
of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that 
thou hast done, saith the Lord. Amen.' 

Joel, ii. 2. 'A day of darkness and of gloominess, 
a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning 
spread upon the mountains. Therefore, also now, saith 
the Lord, turn ye unto me with all your heart, with 
fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. Rend your 
heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord 
» your God ; for he is gracious and merciful, slow r to 

anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. ' 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 215 

Hosea, ii. c I will visit upon her the days of Baalim ; 
she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the 
Lord. I will allure her, and bring her into the wil- 
derness, and speak comfortably unto her. And I will 
betroth thee unto me for ever : yea, I will betroth thee 
unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in 
loving-kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth 
thee unto me in faithfulness ; and thou shalt know the 
Lord/ 

Hosea, xiii. c O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself, 
but in me is thine help.' Chap. xiv. ' Return unto the 
Lord thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquities. 
Take with you words and return to the Lord : say 
unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us gra- 
ciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. 
Ashur shall not save us, we will not ride upon horses, 
neither will Ave say any more to the works of our hands, 
Ye are our gods ; for in thee the fatherless findeth 
mercy. 

' I will heal their backsliding ; I will love them 
freely, for mine anger is turned away from him. I will 
be as the dew unto Israel ; he shall grow as the lily, and 
cast forth his roots as Lebanon. Ephraim shall say, 
What have I to do any more with idols ? I have heard him, 
and observed him. I am like a green fir-tree, from me is 
thy fruit found. 

Daniel, ix. ' O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, 
because we have sinned against thee. To the Lord our 
God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have 
rebelled against him.' 

Isaiah, xl. 11. 'He shall feed his flock like a shep- 
herd ; he shall gather the lambs in his arms, and carry 
them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are 
with young. Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, 



216 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

O Israel ; My way is hid from the Lord, and my judg- 
ment passed over from my God ? Hast thou not known, 
hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God fainteth 
not, neither is weary ! There is no searching of his 
understanding. He giveth power to the faint ; and to 
him that hath no might he increaseth strength. Even 
the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young 
men shall utterly fall : but they that wait on the Lord 
shall renew their strength ; they shall mount up with 
wings as eagles : they shall run, and not be weary ; they 
shall walk and not faint.' 

Isaiah, xlii. 24. i Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and 
Israel to the robbers ? Did not the Lord ? He, against 
whom we have sinned ? For they would not walk in his 
way, neither were they obedient to his law ; therefore 
he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the 
strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round 
about, and he knew it not ; and it burned him, yet he 
laid it not to heart. But now, thus saith the Lord 
that created thee, O Jacob, and that formed thee, O 
Israel, Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have 
called thee by thy name, thou art mine. When thou 
passest through the waters, I will be with thee ; and 
through the rivers they shall not overflow thee. When 
thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt, 
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the 
Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour. 
Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been 
honourable ; and I have loved thee. Yes, my God ! I 
remember, and am confounded ; amazed at my ingra- 
titude, amazed at thy grace ! What can I say ? Thou 
hast wrought with me for thy name's sake. I am dumb 
before thee. I am vile— and yet I am thine. Thou 
hast redeemed me. It is thy good pleasure to save me, 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 217 

Glorify thy name. ' I have blotted out as a thick 
cloud thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins. Re- 
turn unto me, for I have redeemed thee. Sing, O ye 
heavens, for the Lord hath done it. Shout, ye lower 
parts of the earth. Break forth into singing, ye moun- 
tains : O forest, and every green tree therein : for the 
Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in 
Israel.' 

' For if, by one man's offence, death reigned by one ; 
much more they which receive abundance of grace, and 
of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one, 
Christ Jesus. Where sin abounded, grace did much more 
abound ; that as sin hath reigned unto defith, so might 
grace reign, through righteousness, unto eternal life, by 
Jesus Christ our Lord.' 

Isaiah, xlv. 22. ' Look unto me, and be ye saved, all 
the ends of the earth ; for I am God, and there is none 
else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of 
my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return ; that 
unto me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall 
swear. Surely shall one say, in the Lord have I righ- 
teousness and strength ; even to him shall men come, and 
all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the 
Lord shall all the house of Israel be justified, and shall 
glory. Chap. xlvi. 3. Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, 
and all the remnant of the house of Israel. Even to your 
old age, I am he : and even to hoar hairs will I carry you. 
I have made, and I will bear, even I will carry, and I will 
deliver you/ 

Ezek. xxxiv. 11. ' Thus saith the Lord God, I, even 
I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. 
As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he 
is among his sheep that are scattered ; so will I seek 
out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places 



21S LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark 
day. And I will bring them out from the people, and 
gather them to their own land, and feed them upon the 
mountains of Israel, by the rivers, and in all the inha- 
bited places of the country. And I will feed them in 
a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel 
shall their fold be ; there shall they lie in a good fold, 
and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains 
of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them 
to lie down, saith the Lord God. I will seek that which 
was lost, and bring again that which was driven 
away; and will bind up that which was broken, and 
will strengthen that which was sick.' He hath done 
it, I am his witness ; I, the poor wanderer, the happy 
subject of this grace. c And I will raise up for them a 
plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed 
with hunger in the land ; neither bear the shame of the 
heathen any more. Thus shall they know, that I, the 
Lord their God, am with them ; and that they, even the 
house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord God 
and ye my flock, the flock of my pasture are men : 
and I am your God, saith the Lord God. As the 
mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is 
round about his people, from henceforth and for ever/ 
Psalm cxxv. 

Ezek. xxxvi. ' When the house of Israel dwelt in 
their own land, they defiled it by their own way, and 
by their doings. And I scattered them among the 
heathen, and they were dispersed through the coun- 
tries ; according to their ways, and according to their 
doings, I judged them. And when they entered unto 
the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy 
name, when they said to them, These are the people of 
the Lord, and are gone forth out of his land. But I 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 219 

had pity for my holy name, which the house of Israel 
had profaned among the heathen whither they went. 
Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the 
Lord God, I do not this for your sakes, O house of 
Israel, but for my holy name's sake, which ye have pro- 
faned among the heathen whither ye went. And I 
will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among 
the heathen, which ye had profaned in the midst of 
them. And the heathen shall know that I am the 
Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified 
in you before their eyes. For I will take you from 
among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries* 
and will bring you into your own land. Then will I 
sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean : 
from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I 
cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a 
new spirit will I put within you ; and I will take away 
the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an 
heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, 
and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep 
my judgments and do them. I will also save you from 
all your uncleannesses, and I will call for the corn, and 
will increase it, and lay no famine upon you ; and I will 
multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field, 
that ye shall receive no more reproach of famine among 
the heathen. Then shall ye remember your own evil 
ways, and your doings, which were not good ; and shall 
loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities, 
and for your abominations. Not for your sakes do I 
this, saith the Lord God: be it known unto you. Be 
ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of 
Israel.' 

12 



• 



220 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 



Ezekiel xvi. 63, and xxxvi. 32. 

( A Scripture Paraphrase, by D. B .) 

" Not for your sakes ;" for, born unclean, 

The slaves of Satan and of sin ; 

I saw no comeliness in you, 

To bid my grace such wonders do. 

" Not for your sakes ;" for when my love 
And grace should your affections move, 
The workings of an evil heart 
Still make you from my truth depart. 

" Not for your sakes ;" for, bold and blind, 
To lust and avarice inclin'd ; 
Each shadowy idol you obey, 
Disowning my paternal sway. 

" Not for your sakes ;" with heav'n in view, 
For sin you sell your souls anew ; 
You barter for a gilded bait 
The joys of an eternal state. 



" Not for your sakes ;" for though you ey'd 
The cross of Christ, on which he died ; 
You scorn his love for worldly ends, 
And wound him in the house of friends. 

" Not for your sakes f with Jesus 7 name, 
You put him to an open shame ; 
And, by your sins, consent again 
To have the dear Redeemer slain. 

" Not for your sakes;" 'tis my free grace 
That grants you pardon, life, and peace ; 
And works a change on all your frame, * 
And binds you to adore my name. 

Not for my sake ! — I hail the sound ! 
And fain would publish it around ; 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 221 

Salvation is a work divine ; 
Confusion, and the shame be mine. 

Not for my sake!— Did I but trust 
To weakness, vanity, and dust, | 
1 ne'er could reach the heavenly prize, 
Xor hope a mansion in the skies. 

Not for my sake!— Yet save and call ; 

Let Jesus be my all in all : 

When glory comes, I'll self disown, 

And grace, free grace, shall wear the crown. 



Psalm civ. * Praise ye the Lord ; O give thanks 
unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for 
ever/ 

Psalm cvi. c Remember me, O Lord, with the favour 
that thou bearest unto thy people : O visit me with thy 
salvation: that I may see the good of thy chosen; that 
I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation ; that I may 
glory with thine inheritance/ 

Eph. ii. ' At that time, ye were without Christ, being 
aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to 
the covenant of promise ; having no hope, and without 
God in the world ; but now in Christ Jesus, ye who 
sometime were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of 
his cross.' 

Psalm x. 17. ' Lord, thou hast heard the desire of 
the humble ; thou wilt prepare their heart ; thou wilt 
cause thine ear to hear; to judge the fatherless and 
the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more 
oppress.' 

Deut. viii. * Thou shalt remember all the way that 
the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the 
wilderness, to humble thee, to prove thee, to know what 

L 3 



222 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

was in thy heart : whether thou wouldst keep my com- 
mandments or no. And he humbled thee, and suf- 
fered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which 
thou knewest not, neither did your fathers now, that 
he might make thee know that man doth not live by 
bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of 
the mouth of the Lord doth man live. Thy raiment 
waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell these 
forty years.' 

* Thou shalt also consider in thy heart, that, as a 
man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth 
thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments 
of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear 
him.' 

Thou, God, seest me. 

Eph. i. 4 Blessed be the God and Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spi- 
ritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, according 
as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of 
the world, that we should be holy and without blame 
before him in love: having predestinated us to the 
adoption of sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according 
to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the 
glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted 
in the Beloved ; in whom we have redemption, through 
his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the 
riches of his grace, wherein he hath abounded towards 
us in all wisdom and prudence : having made known 
unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good 
pleasure which he purposed in himself, that in the dis- 
pensation of the fulness of time, he might gather toge- 
ther in one, all things in Christ, both which are in 
heaven, and which are on earth, even in him, in whom 
also we have obtained an inheritance, being predesti- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 223 

nated according to the purpose of him who worketh 
all things after the counsel of his own will, that we 
should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in 
Christ/ 

Chap. ii. and iv. ' God, who is rich in mercy, for 
his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we 
were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with 
Christ, (by grace are ye saved), and hath raised us up 
together, and made us sit together in heavenly places 
in Christ Jesus, that, in the ages to come, he might 
show the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness 
towards us, through Christ Jesus : for, by grace are ye 
saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is 
the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should 
boast ; for we are his workmanship created in Christ 
Jesus unto good works, which God hath before or- 
dained, that we should walk in them. Now, therefore, 
ye Gentiles, are no more strangers and foreigners, but 
fellow- citizens with the saints, and of the household of 
God ; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles 
and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief 
corner-stone : in whom all the building, fitly framed 
together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord ; in 
whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of 
God, through the Spirit.' Chap. iii. ' I, Paul, bow my 
knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of 
whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 
that he would grant you, according to the riches of his 
glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in 
the inner man : that Christ may dwell in your hearts 
by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 
may be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is the 
breadth, and length, and height, and depth; and to 
know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that 

14 



224, IIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now 
unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above 
all that we can ask or think, according to the power 
that worketh in us ; unto him be glory in the church 
by Jesus Christ, throughout all ages, world without end. 
Amen.' 

Chapter iv. ' I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, 
beseech you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation 
wherewith ye are called : with all lowliness and meek- 
ness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in 
love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in 
the bond of peace. There is one body and one spirit, 
even as ye are called in one hope of your calling : One 
Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of 
all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 
But unto every one of us is given grace, according to 
the measure of the gift of Christ : — that we may grow 
up into him in all things, which is the Head, even 
Christ ; from whom the whole body, fitly joined together 
and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, — 
(ministers and people in the use of all appointed means)* 
— according to the effectual working in the measure of 
every part, maketh increase of the body, to the edifying of 
itself in love.' 

John, xv. ' I am the Vine, ye are the branches: he 
that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth 
much fruit ; for without me ye can do nothing.' 

Exodus, xvi. ' And Moses said, the Lord heareth 
your murmurings that ye murmur against him ; and what 
are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but 
against the Lord. And Moses said, This is the bread 
which the Lord giveth you to eat. And the children of 
Israel did eat manna until they came unto the borders of 
the land of Canaan. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 225 

John, vi. c I am the living- Bread, which came down 
from heaven : if any man eat of this bread, he shall 
live for ever ; and the bread that I will give, is my 
flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. He 
that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth 
in me, and I in him. The words which I speak unto 
you, they are spirit, and they are life.' 

1 Cor. i. ' For of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of 
God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness, and 
Sanctification and Redemption. 9 

Heb. iv. c Seeing then that we have a great High 
Priest, who is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son 
of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have 
not a High Priest who cannot be touched with the 
feeling of our infirmities ; but was in all points tempted 
like as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come 
boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain 
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.' Chap- 
ter nii. i For this is the covenant that I will make with 
the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord ; I 
will put my laws into their mind, and write them on 
their hearts, and I will be to them a God, and they 
shall be to me a people : and they shall not teach every 
man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, 
Know the Lord, for all shall know me, from the least 
to the greatest ; for I will be merciful to their unrigh- 
teousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I re- 
member no more. In that, he saith, a new covenant, 
he hath made the first old : now that which decayeth, 
and waxeth old, is ready to vanish away/ 

1 John, v. * This is the record, that God has given 
to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that 
hath the Son, hath life, and he that hath not the Son, 
hath not life. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift/ 

£5 



226 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Psalm lxii. 4 Truly my soul waiteth upon God, from 
him cometh my salvation ; he is my Defence, I shall 
not be greatly moved. My soul, wait thou only upon 
God, my expectation is from him ; he only is my Rock 
and my Salvation ; he is my Defence, I shall not be 
moved. In God is my salvation and my glory ; the rock 
of my strength, and my refuge is in my God.' 



REST. 

Genesis, ii. < Thus the heavens and the earth were 
finished, and on the seventh day God ended his work 
which he had made, and he rested the seventh day 
from all his work which he had made ; and God blessed 
the seventh day, and sanctified it, because, that in it 
he had rested from all his work that he had created 
and made.' 

Exodus, xvi. 'And Moses said, To-morrow is the 
rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord. So the peo- 
ple rested on the seventh day.' 

Luke, xxiii. * And the women followed after and 
beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid ; and 
they returned, and prepared spices and ointments, and 
rested the Sabbath day, according to the command- 
ment.' 

Christ rested in the tomb of Joseph, the last Sabbath 
under the law : but the evening and the morning were 
the first day. On that morning, he closed his work of 
humiliation, manifested his victory over death — the 
curse denounced — by rising from the tomb, and rested 
on the first day of the week from all his humiliation 
work ; his death, burial, and rest in the grave on the 
seventh day, being the last part of that work. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 227 

i My God, thy service well demands 

The remnant of my days : 
Why is this feeble life preserv'd, 
But to repeat thy praise ? 

c Thine arms of everlasting love 

Do this weak frame sustain ; 
While life is hov' ring o'er the grave, 

And nature sinks with pain. 

' Thou, when the pains of death assail, 

Wilt chase the fears of hell; 
And teach my pale and quivering lips 

Thy matchless grace to tell. 

c Calmly I'll lay my fainting head 

On thy dear faithful breast ; 
Pleas'd to obey my Father's call 

To his eternal rest. 

4 Into thy hands, my Saviour God, 

Do I my soul resign, 
In firm dependance on that truth 

That made salvation mine.' 



THE INWARD WARFARE, 

* Strange and mysterious is my life ! 

What opposites I feel within : 
A stable peace, a constant strife, 
The rule of grace, the power of sin ! 
Too often I am captive led,, 
Yet daily triumph in my Head. 

* I prize the privilege of prayer ! 

But oh ! what backwardness to pray ! 
Though on the Lord I cast my care, 
I feel its burden every day. 
I seek his will in all I do, 
Yet find my own is working too. 
L 6 



228 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

c I call the promises mine own, 

And prize them more than mines of gold : 
Yet, though their sweetness I have known. 
They leave me unimpress'd and cold. 
One hour upon the truth I feed ; 
The next, I know not what I read. 

* I love the holy day of rest, 

When Jesus meets his gather* d saints — 
Sweet day, of all the week the best, 
For its return my spirit pants. 
Yet often, through my unbelief, 
It proves a day of guilt and grief, 

i While on my Saviour I rely, 

I know my foes shall lose their aim ; 
And therefore dare their power defy, 
Assur'd of conquest through his name. 
But soon my confidence is slain, 
And all my fears return again. 

i Thus different powers within me strive, 

And death, and sin, by turns prevail ; 
I grieve, rejoice, decline, revive, 
And vict'ry hangs in doubtful scale. 
But Jesus has his promise past, 
That grace shall overcome at last/ 



FLESH AND SPIRIT. 



{ What diff 'rent powers of grace and sin 

Attend our mortal state! 
I hate the thoughts that work within ; 

Yet do the works I hate. 

i Now I complain, and groan, and die, 

While sin and Satan reign ; 
Now raise my songs of triumph higl^ 

For grace prevails again. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 229 

1 So darkness struggles with the light, 

Till perfect day arise ; 
Water and fire maintain the right, 

Until the weaker dies. 

' Thus will the flesh and spirit strive, 

And vex and break my peace ; 
But I shall quit this mortal life, 

And sin for ever cease.' 



{ Join all the names of love and pow'r 
That ever men or angels bore ; 
All are too mean to speak his worth, 
Or set Emmanuel's glory forth. 

c But oh ! what condescending ways 
He takes to teach his heavenly grace ! 
Mine eyes, with joy and wonder, see 
What forms of love he bears to me. 

4 The angel of the covenant stands, 
With his commission in his hands ; 
Sent from his Father's milder throne, 
To make his great salvation known. 

' Great Prophet ! let me bless thy name ; 
By thee the joyful tidings came, 
Of wrath appeas'd aud sins forgiv'n, 
Of hell subdu'd, and peace with heaven. 

1 My bright Example, and my Guide, 
I would be walking by thy side, 
Oh ! let me never run astray, 
Nor follow the forbidden way. 

i I love my Shepherd, he shall keep 
My wand' ring soul among his sheep ; 
He feeds his flock, he tells their names, 
And in his bosom bears the lambs. 



230 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

* My Surety undertakes my cause, 
Answering his Father's broken laws ; 
Behold my soul at freedom set— 
My Surety paid the dreadful debt. 

1 Jesus, my great High Priest, has died, 
I seek no sacrifice beside ; 
His blood did once for all atone, 
And now it pleads before the throne. 

1 My Advocate appears on high; 
The Father lays his thunder by; 
Not all that earth or hell can say, 
Shall turn my Father's heart away. 

* My Lord, my Conqu'ror, and my King, 
Thy sceptre and thy sword I sing ; 
Thine is the viet'ry, and I sit 

A joyful subject at thy feet. 

6 Aspire, my soul, to glorious deeds — 
The Captain of salvation leads; 
March on, nor fear to win the day, 
Though death and hell obstruct thy way. 

1 Though death, and hell, and powers unknown. 
Put all their forms of mischief on, 
I shall be safe, for Christ displays 
Salvation in more sovereign ways,' 



c Be this my one great business here, 
With holy trembling, holy fear, 

To make my calling sure ; 
Thine utmost counsel to fulfil, 
And suffer all thy righteous will, 

And to the end endure. 

t Then, Saviour, then my soul receive, 
Transported from this vale, to live, 
And reign with thee above ; 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 231 

Where faith is sweetly lost in sight, 
And hope in full supreme delight, 
And everlasting love/ 



' Hush, my distrustful heart, 

And cease to flow, my tears ; 
For greater, Lord, thou art 
Than all my doubts and fears. 
Did Jesus once upon me shine? 
Then Jesus is for ever mine. 

6 Unchangeable his will, 

Whatever be my frame ; 
My Saviour's heart is still 
Eternally the same. 

My soul through many changes goes, 

His love no variation knows. 

<■ Thou, Lord, wilt carry on, 

And perfectly perform; 

The work thou hast begun 

In me, vile sinful worm. 

Mine own self-will brings grief and wo, 
But Jesus will not let me go. 

* The bowels of thy grace 
At first did freely move : 
And still I see thy face, 
And feel that God is love. 

Into thine arms my soul I cast ; 
By sov'reign mercy saved at last 

c The Priest and Ark now move 

To Jordan's gulphy strand \ 
Come now thy covenant love 
Take firm thy promised stand ; 
Only to me thy count'nance show, 
I ask no more the Jordan through.' 



232 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

* Come, let us join our cheerful songs 
With angels round the throne ; 

Ten thousand thousand are their tongues, 
But all their joys are one. 

' Worthy the Lamb that died, they cry, 

To be exalted thus : 
Worthy the Lamb, our souls reply, 
For he was slain for us. 

' Jesus is worthy to receive 

Honour and pow'r divine ; 
And blessings, more than we can give, 

Be, Lord, for ever thine. 

( The whole creation join in one, 

To bless the sacred name 
Of him that sits upon the throne, 

And to adore the Lamb.* 



* Give me the wings of faith, to rise 

Within the veil, and see 
The saints above, how great their joys, 

How bright their glories be. 

4 Once they were mourners here below, 
And wet their couch with tears ; 

They wrestled hard as we do now, 
With sins, and doubts, and fears. 

( I ask them, whence their vict'ry came ; 

They, with united breath, 
Ascribe the conquest to the Lamb, 

Their triumph to his death. 

f They marked the footsteps that he trod • 
His zeal inspired their breast; 

And following the incarnate God, 
Possess'd the promised rest. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 233 

* Our glorious Leader claims our praise, 

For his own pattern given ; 
While the long cloud of witnesses 

Show the same path to heaven. ' 



4 With heart, and hands, and lifted eyes, 
I'll praise thee while Pve life and breath; 

And, while my loosen' d spirit flies, 
I'll gasp thy praise in very death. 

'Faith fain would say, in cheerful mood, 

Thy name be glorified ; 
By leading through the swelling flood, 

Or through the channel dried. 

1 If grace in time of need I have, 

And strength as is my day ; 
I'll triumph through the foaming wave, 

As through the side-walled way.' 



4 Pll praise my Maker while I've breath ; 
And, when my voice is lost in death, 

Praise shall employ my noblest powers; 
My days of praise shall ne'er be past, 
While life and breath and being last, 
And immortality endures.' 



' My God, indulge my humble claim 
Thou art my Hope, my Joy, my Rest ; 

The glories that compose thy name, 
Stand all engag'd to make me blest. 

' Thou Great and Good, thou Just and Wise, 
Thou art my Father and my God ; 

And I am thine by sacred ties, 
Thy child, thy servant, bought with blood* 



234 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

' With heart, and eyes, and lifted hands, 
For thee I long, to thee I look ; 

As travellers in thirsty lands 

Pant for the cooling water-brook.' 



' Jesus, the weary wanderer's rest, 
Give grace thy sov'reign will to bear; 

With steadfast patience arm my breast, 
With holy love, and lowly fear. 

' Thankful, I take the cup from thee, 
Prepared and mingled by thy skill ; 

Though bitter to the taste it be, 
It has a sov'reign power to heal. 

c Be thou a Rock of ages nigh ; 

My saved soul on thee alone 
Shall safely rest, and fears *hall fly, 

As clouds before the mid-day sun. 

4 Speak to my troubled conscience peace, 
Say to my trembling heart, Be still : 

My power thy strength and fortress is : 
Amen ! to all thy sov'reign will. 

' O Death, where is thy sting ? where now 
ohy boasted victory, O grave ? 

Who shall contend with God, or who 
Condemn whom he delights to save ?' 



* How sweet the name of Jesus sounds 

In a believer's ear ! 
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, 

And drives away his fear. 

' It makes the wounded spirit whole, 
And calms the troubled breast ; 

'Tis manna to the hungry soul ; 
And to the weary, rest. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 235 

' Dear name ! the Rock on which I build, 

My Shield and Hiding- Place ; 
My never-failing Treas'ry, filled 

With boundless stores of grace. 

6 Jesus, my Shepherd, Husband, Friend, 

My Prophet, Priest, and King, 
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, 

Accept the praise I bring. 

' Weak is the effort of my heart, 

And cold my warmest thought ; 
But, when I see thee as thou art, 

I'll praise thee as I ought. 

' Till then I would thy love proclaim 

With every fleeting breath ; 
And may the music of thy name 

Refresh my soul in death.* 



' Amazing grace, how sweet the sound 

That saved a wretch like me ! 
I once was lost, but now am found ; 

Was blind, but now I see. 

1 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, 

And grace my fears reliev'd ; 
How precious did that grace appear, 

The hour I first believed ! 

' Through many dangers, toils, and snares. 

Already I have come ; 
'Twas grace that brought me safe thus far 

And grace will lead me home. 

' Yes, when this heart and flesh shall fai! ? 

And mortal life shall cease, 
I shall possess, within the veil? 

A life of joy and peace. 



236 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

i A swelling Jordan rolls between, 

A timid pilgrim I ; 
But grace shall order all the scene, 

And Christ himself be ni^h. 

' He shall roll back the foaming wave, 
Command the channel dry ; 

No sting has death, no vict'ry grave, 
With Jesus in my eye.' B 



' Come, thou Fount ofev'ry blessing, 
Tune my heart to sing thy grace -> 

Streams of mercy, never ceasing, 
Call for songs of endless praise. 

1 Teach me some melodious sonnet, 
Sung by flaming tongues above ; 

Praise the mount, I'm fix'd upon it, 
Mount of God's unchanging love. 

1 Here I raise mine Ebenezer, 

Hither by thy help I'm come, 
And I hope, by thy good pleasure, 
Safely to arrive at home. 

' Jesus sought me when a stranger, 
Wand'ring from the fold of God ; 

He, to save my soul from danger, 
Interposed with precious blood. 

' Oh, to grace how great a debtor 
Daily I'm constrain'd to be! 

Let that grace, Lord, like a fetter, 
Bind my wand'ring heart to thee. 

* Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, 
Prone to leave the God I love; 

Here's my heart, O take and seal it, 
Seal it from thy courts above.' 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 237 

' Eternal God, I bless thy name, 
The same thy power, thy grace the same ; 
The tokens of thy friendly care, 
Open, and crown, and close the year. 

' I, 'midst ten thousand dangers stand, 
Supported by thy gracious hand ; 
And see, when I survey thy ways, 
Ten thousand monuments of grace. 

c Thus far thine arm has led me on, 
Thus far I make thy mercy known ; 
And, while I tread this desert land, 
New inercies shall new songs demand. 

' My grateful soul on Jordan's shore 
Shall raise one sacred pillar more ; 
Then bear in thy bright courts above 
Inscriptions of immortal love.' 



( No works to rest upon have I, 
No boast of moral dignity ; 
If e'er I lisp a song of praise, 
Grace is the note my soul shall raise. 

• 
c 'Twas grace that quicken' d me when dead, 
'Twas grace my soul to Jesus led, 
Grace brings me pardon for my sin, 
And grace subdues my lusts within. 

c 'Tis grace that sweetens ev'ry cross, 
# Tis grace supports in ev'ry loss ; 
In Jesus' grace my soul is strong, 
Grace is my hope, and Christ my song. 

Thus, 'tis alone of grace I boast, 
And 'tis alone in grace I trust ; 
For all that's past, grace is my theme, 
For what's to come, 'tis still the same.' 



23S LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

6 And when I come to Jordan's shore, 
I'll raise one Ebenezermore ; 
Th' Ark of the Covenant in my view, 
I'll sing of grace the Jordau through. 



* Is this the kind return, 

And these the thanks we owe, 
Thus to abuse eternal love, 

Whence all our blessings flow ? 

1 To what a stubborn frame 

Has sin reduc'd our mind ! 
What strange rebellious wretches we, 

And God as strangely kind ! 

6 Turn us again, O God I 

And mou!d our souls afresh ; 
Break, sovereign grace, these hearts of stone, 

And give us hearts of flesh. 

1 Let past ingratitude 

Provoke our weeping eyes ; 
And hourly, as new mercies fall, 

Let hourly thanks arise.' 



6 O 'the sweet wonders of that cross, 
Where Christ my Saviour lov'd and died ; 

Her noblest life my spirit draws 

From his dear wounds and bleeding side.' 

< I would for ever speak his name, 
In sounds tomortal ears unknown ; 

With angels join to praise the Lamb, 
And worship at his Father's throne. 5 



e Jesus, the vision of thy face 
Hath overpowering charms ; 

Scarce shall I feel death's cold embrace, 
If Christ be in my arms.' 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 2X9 

• O glorious hour! O blest abode! 
I shall be near and like my God ; 
And flesh and sin no more control 
The sacred pleasures of my soul.* 



6 When in death's gloomy vale I tread, 
Withjoy ev'n there I'll lift my head ; 
From fear and dread he'll keep me free, 
His rod and staff shall comfort me." 



' Jesus, to thy dear faithful hand 

My naked soul I trust ; 
My flesh but waits for thy command, 

To drop into the dust.' 



' Before we quite forsake our clay, 
Or leave this dark abode, 

The wings of love bear us away, 
To see our smiling God.' 



£ O make it true, my Saviour God ; 

Raise me all fears above ; 
And, when I think on Jesu's blood, 

Let my last pulse beat love.' 



6 for an overcoming faith. 
To cheer my dying hours ; 

To triumph o'er the monster Death, 
And all his frightful powers ! 

* Joyful, with all the strength I have, 

My quivering lips should sing ; 
Where is thy boasted vict'ry, Grave, 
And where the monster's sting ? 

* If sin be pardon'd, I'm secure 
Death hath no sting beside ; 



240 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

The law gives sin its damning power, 
But Christ, my Ransom, died. 

Now to the God of victory 
Immortal thanks be paid; 
Who makes us conquerors while we die, 
Through Christ our living Head.' 



* All mortal vanities be gone, 

Nor tempt mine eyes, nor tire mine ears ; 
Behold ! amidst the eternal throne 

A vision of the Lamb appears. 

£ All the assembling saints around 
Fail worshipping before the Lamb : 

And in new songs of Gospel sound, 
Address their honours to his name. 

1 Our voices join the heavenly strain, 
And with transporting pleasure sing, 

Worthy the Lamb that once was slain, 
Our blessed Prophet, Priest, and King. 

Thou hast redeem'd our soi^s from hell 

With thine invaluable blood ; 
And wretches, that did once rebel, 

Are now madefav'rites of their God. 

* Worthy, for ever is the Lord, 
That died for treasons not his own, 

By every tongue to be adored, 
And dwell upon his Father's throne.' 



THE NEW TESTAMENT IN THE BLOOD OF CHRIST. 

' The promise of my Father's love 

Shall stand for ever good ; 
He said, and gave his soul to death, 

And seal'd it with his blood. 

To this dear cov'nant of thy word 
I set my worthless name ; 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 241 

I seal the engagement of the Lord, 
And make my humble claim. 

• The light, and strength, and pard'niug grace, 

And glory, shall be mine ; 
My life and soul, my heart and flesh, 

And all my powers, are thine. 

i I call that legacy mine own, 

Which Jesus did bequeath ; 
'Twas purchas'd with a dying groan. 

And ratified in death. 

4 Sweet is the mem' ry of his name, 

Who bless'd us in his will ; 
And, to his testament of love, 

Made his own life the seal. 

1 To Him that wash'd me in his blood, 

Be everlasting praise ; 
Salvation, honour, glory, power, 

Eternal as his days.' 



' Blest be the Father, and his love. 
To which celestial source we owe 

Rivers of endless joys above, 
And rills of comfort here below. 

< Glory to the great Son of God; 

From his dear wounded body rolls 
A precious stream of vital blood, 

Pardon and life for dying souls. 

* We give thee, sacred Spirit, prai*" 
Who in our hearts of sin a^id wo, ' 

Mak' st living springs of grace arise, 
And into boundless glory flow 7 . 

« Thus God the Father, God the Son, 
And God the Spirit we adore ; 

The Sea of life and love unknown, 
Without a bottom or a shore.' 
M 



242 LIFE AND WRITINGS O* 

' Let me but hear my Saviour say, 
Strength shall be equal to thy day, 
Then I rejoice in deep distress, 
Leaning on all-sufficient grace 

* I glory in infirmity, 
That Christ's own power may rest on me ; 
When I am weak, then am I strong ; 
Grace is my shield, and Christ my song. 

c I can do all things, or can bear 
All sufferings, if my Lord be there ; 
Sweet pleasures mingle with the pains, 
While his strong hand my head sustains, 

1 Faith hath an overcoming power, 
Can triumph in the dying hour ; 
Christ is my Life, my Joy, my Hope,. 
I cannot sink with such a prop.' 



' Jesus, I love thy charming name, 

'Tis music to mine ear ; 
Fain would I sound it out so loud, 

That heaven and earth should hear. 

* Yes, thou art precious to my soul, 
My Transport and my Trust ; 

My Saviour, Shepherd, Husband, Friend, 
No other good I boast. 

; All my capacious powers can wish, 

In thee do richly meet ; 
Not tc mine eyes is light so dear, 

Nor friendship half so sweet. 

* Thy grace still dwells upon my he«rt, 
And sheds its fragrance there ; 

The noblest balm of all my wounds, 
And cordial of my care. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 243 

1 U speak the honour of thy name, 
my last ralt'ring breath; 
Then, speechless, clasp thee in my arms, 
The antidote of death.' 



' Grace, 'tis a charming sound, 
Harmonious to my ear ; 

Heaven with the echo shall resound, 
And all the earth shall hear, 

; Grace first contriv'd the way 
To save rebellious man ; 

11 the steps f/urt grace display, 
Which drew the wondrous plan. 

' Grace taught my wand-ring feet 
To tread the heavenly road ; 

And new supplies each hour 1 meet, 
While pressing on to God. 

■' Grace all the work shall crown. 
Through everlasting days ; 

It lays in heaven the topmost stone, 
And well deserves the praise-' 



1 My God, the Spring of all my joys, 

The Life of my delights, 
The Glory of my brightest days, 

And comfort of my nights ; 

1 In darkest shades if thou appear, 

My dawning is begun ; 
Thou art my soul's sweet Morning Star, 

And thou my Rising Sun. 

i The opening heavens around me shine, 
With beams of sacred bliss ; 

While Jesus shows his heart is mine, 
And whispers I am his. 
M 2 



24i LIFE AND WHITINGS OF 

i My soul would leave this heavy clay* 
At that transporting word ; 

Run up with joy the shining way, 
T > embrace my dearest Lord. 

* Fearless of hell and ghastly death, 
I'd break through every foe ; 

The wings of love, and arms of faith, 
Should bear me conqueror through.* 



5 Backward, with humble shame, I look 

On my original — 
How is my nature dash'd and broke, 

In our first father's fall. 

1 To all that 's good, averse, and blind, 

But prone to all that's ill ; 
What dreadful darkness veils my mind \ 

How obstinate my will ! 

' Oonceiv'd in sin ! O wretched state ; 

Before I drew my breath, 
My first young pulse began to beat 
Iniquity and death. 

' How strong in my degen'rate blood 

The old corruption reigns ! 
And mingling with the crooked flood> 

Wanders through all my veins. 

' Yet, mighty God, thy wondrous love 

^an make my nature clean : 
While Christ and grace prevail above 

The tempter, death, and sin. 

4 The second Adam shall restore 

The ruins of the first ; 
Hosanna to thatsov'reign power 

That new creates our dust,' 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 245 

POETRY. 



The three following Poems were not found till after Mrs: 
Graham's Funeral Sermon was preached* 



JORDAN. 

Joshua, chap. i. 11, and chap, hi. Psalm xxiii. 4, lxxiii. -24. 

The solemn hour, my soul, draws near, 
The holy Ark and Priests appear ; 
They forward move to Jordan's flood, 
The type, thou know'st, thy covenant God, 

The signal, too, to thee is known, 
Obey, remove, and follow on; 
The Ark appears, thy hallow'd guide; 
Shrink not, but face the rolling tide. 

# Th e waves toss high their foaming heads ; 
But canst thou perish ? Jesus leads. 
This way before I ne'er did pass, 
But Jesus, thy Forerunner, has. 

When all its banks it overflowed, 
All nature wrapt in midnight cloud ; 
While darkness held its awful power, 
And all God's billows pass'd him o'er* 



Deep calls to deep on every side $ 
Around his head the surges roll, 
And rush into his inmost soul. 

He was thesurPrer in my stead, 
The curse for sin lay on his head ; 
The law's demands came like a flood, 
Sfy Surety met them with his blood ! 
U 3 



24S LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Till ev'ry tittle had been paid, 
Till due atonement had been made, 
No beam appeared of heavenly grace, 
A cloud conceal'd his Father's face. 

From brim to bottom he drank up 
Of wrath the deep mysterious cup ; 
This Jordan pass'd, then rose on high, 
And captive led captivity. 

Justice now fully satisfied, 
The law, now honour'd, magnified ; 
At God's right hand he takes his place, 
Executor of cov'nant Grace. 

Crown'd by Jehovah's firm decree, 
With universal sov'reignty ; 
All nature owns his powerful sway, 
He speaks, the elements obey. 

The emblem, then, thou may 'st pursue, 
And safely pass this Jordan through ; 
The priests but touch the watery space, 
When, lo! the floods desert their place. 

They gather up upon a heap, 
Leave dry the channel of the deep ; 
The ark and priests there take their standi 
And beckon thee to leave the land. 

I come, my best Belov'd, I come ; 
Now lead me to our Father's home ; 
On thy dear person fix mine eye, 
And faith firm footing shall supply. 

I fear no ill while thou art near, 
But let thy voice salute my ear, 
(Should spirits faint, and 'scape the sigh,) 
With these sweet words, « Fear not, 'tis L* 

With courage fresh my soul shall tread 

On faith's firm ground where thou dost lead ^ 



JV4RS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 247 

While still upon thy gracious face 
My steady eye maintains its place. 

And now, my Joshua, choose, and lay, 
The stones in Jordan's middle way ; 
Let them o'ertop the flowing wave, 
Memorial of thy power to save. 

For, once a suit I did prefer, 
With feeble hope, and trembling fear ; 
That I might have a Pisgah view, 
In Jordan's swells, of Canaan new* 

Thy soften'd glory let me see, 
Then cause thy face te shine on me ; 
And tune my heart, and tune my voice, 
And language furnish to rejoice* 

That all around may lend their tongue, 
And sweetly join my dying song ; 
Then, Newton, sav'd by grace, like me, 
We '11 sing of sovereign grace with thee. 



NEWTON*. 

* Let us love, and sing, and wonder, 
Let us praise the Saviour's name ; 
He has hush'd the Law's loud thunder, 
He has quench' d Mount Sinai's flame. 
He has wash'd us in his blood, 
He has brought us nigh to God. 

4 Let us love the Lord who bought us, 

Pitied us when enemies ; 
Call'd us by his grace, and taught us ; 
Gave us ears, and gave us eyes. 
He has wash'd us in his blood, 
He presents our souls to God. 

* It is remarkable that this hymn was selected by Dr. Mason? 
and sung after Mrs. Graham's Funeral Sermon. 

M 4 



24S LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

' Let us sing, though strong temptation 

Threaten hard to bear us down ; 
For, the Lord our strong Salvation, 
Holds in view the conqu'ror's crown. 
He who wash'd us in his blood, 
Soon shall bring us home to God. 

* Let us wonder, grace and justice 
Join and point to mercy's store ; 
When, through grace, in Christ our trust is, 
Justice smiles, and asks no more. 
He who wash'd us in his blood, 
Has secur'd our way to God. 

1 Let us praise, and join the chorus 

Of the saints enthron'd on high ; 
Here they trusted him before us, 
Now their praises fill the sky. 
Thou hast wash'd us in thy blood, 
Thou art worthy, Lamb of God. 

Hark ! the name of Jesus sounded 
Loud from golden harps above ; 
On that Rock our hopes are founded : 
Sov'reign grace, and sov'reign love. 
We shall conquer through his bloody 
Kings and Priests be made to God.' 



HEAVEN. 

To be where thou, my Saviour, art, 
To see, and be conform'd to thee ; 

Perfect in holiness this heart, 

This— this, is heaven itself to me. 

To see thee in thy glory, Lord, 
Thy Father's glory and thy own ; 

Th' eternal, the incarnate Word, 
Ador'd upon his Father's throne. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 249 

To see as seeivto-know as known , 

My Saviour in my flesh and blood ; 
To be made like him, with him one, 

I in him, and he in God* 

The holy, holy, holy One, 

Who was, and is, and is to come, 
The earth his footstool, Heaven his throne, 

The Church kis Bride, he her Bridegroom- 
Angels and Elders, earth and heav'n, 

Are summon' d to unseal the book ; 
But silent all, no answer giv'n, 

None worthy found therein to look. 

But Judah'sLion, David's Son, 

And David's Root, the great I AM, 
Appears upon his Father's throne, 

As slain for sacrifice, the Lamb. 

He takes the book, he can unseal ; 

He worthy ia, and he has power 
God's secret counsels to reveal, 

And to fulfil each in its hour. 

The heav'nly host united fall 

In humble worship at his feet } 
One glorious theme inspires them all^ 

The joy is full, the concert sweet. 

New odours to the throne ascend, 

In accents new their praises soar; 
Each finds in each a glowing friend, 

And all the God Gf all adore* 

And shall I join that prostrate throng. 

In love's ecstatic heav'n- taught lays, 
With pow'rs expanded, that new song, 

Hymn to the Lamb's exalted prai- 

Worthy art thou to take tlte book, 

And loose the seals, and read therein 
«Sod's holy mysteries to unlock ; 

Worthy art thou, for thou was slat&c 

-M -5 



250 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Thou hast redeem'd us with thy blood? 

From ev'ry nation of the earth ; 
And made us Kings and Priests to God 5 

And sharers of a heav'nly birth. 

Myriads of angels stand around, 
Uniting in the loud acclaim ; 

And till the temple with the sound 
Of our Redeemer's gentle name. 

Worthy the Lamb that once was slain, 

A sacrifice for ev'ry sin, 
All pow'r and glory to obtain, 

And universal empire win. 

Heav'n, earth, and sea, shall swell the tone 

Of fervent universal praise ; 
And grateful joy around the throne, 

Its voice from age to age shall raise. 

In all these myriads is there one 

Who had on earth so much forgiv'n? 

A&d shall I reach their highest tone 
Of love to Jesus ? Tins is Heaven! ! I 



And when this breast to heave shall cease, 
And heart and lungs are hush'd to peace, 
Some friendly hand the eye-lids close, 
And leave the clay to short repose* ; 

Still on your knees be thanks exprest, 
According as the Lord has blest ; 
This tongue, then mute, can now foretel 
Jesus shall have done all things well. 

Should the great Sov'reign will it so, 
That I in secret with him go, 
'Twill be enough that He stands by, 
He all my wants will well supply. 

* These circumstances took place as here described, although 
surviving friends had not then any knowledge of this poem. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 251 

Upon his dear,, his faithful breast, 
My heart and head shall safely rest ; 
The flutt'ring pulse, and bursting sigh, 
He '11 soothe with, l Fear not, it is I.' 

Into his hands my sp'rit I'll breathe, 
Inhaling life from him, in death : 

Though none should see, faith can foretel 

My Jesus shall do all things well. 

Though he deny my half-form'd pray'r, 
Well may I cast on him my care ; 
All things are mine, or life, or death, 
In praise of Him I'll spend my breath. 

Be this my only wish beside, 
That God's great name be glorified. 
What me concerns faith can foretel, 
My Jesus shall do all things well* 



The following Poems were found among some old papers, 
and afe supposed to be original — they were written in the 
Island of Antigua, shortly after Doctor Graham's death, 



PART I. 

Hail! thou state of widowhood, 
State of those that mourn to God ; 
Who, from earthly comforts torn, 
Only live to pray and mourn. 

Meanest of the number, I 
For my dear companion sigh ; 
Patiently my lose deplore, 
Mourn for one that mourns no more. 

Me my consort hath out-run, 
Out of sight he quite is gone ; 

He his course has finish' d here, 
First come to the sepulchre. 
M 6 



252 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Following on with earnest haste, 
Till my mourning days are past, 
I my partner's steps pursue, 
I shall soon be happy too ; 

Find the ease for which I pant, 
Gain the only good I want ; 
Quietly lay down my head, 
Sink into my earthly bed. 

There my flesh shall rest in hope, 
Till the quicken'd dust mount up ; 
When to glorious life I'll rise, 
To meet my husband in the skies. 

PART II. 

Happy they who trust in Jesus, 
Jesus turns our loss to gain; 

Still his balmy mercies ease us ? 
Sweeten all our grief and pain. 

When he calls our friends t' inherit 
All the glories of the blest, 

He assures the widowed spirit, 
< Thou shalt quickly be at rest.' 

Though my flesh and spirit languish, 

Let me not too much complain $ 
Sure at last t' outlive my anguish, 
Sure to find my friend again. 

Ransom'dfrom a world of sorrow, 
He to-day is taken home ; 

I shall be releas'd to-morrow : 
Come, my dear Redeemer, come. 

From my sanctified distresses, 
Now, or when thou wilt, receive, 

Grant with him in thine embraces, 
After all my deaths, to live. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 

PART III. 

Hail, holy, holy, holy Lord ! 

Mysterious Three in One ; 
For ever be thy name ador'd, 

Thy will for ever done. 

For this alone on earth I waif, 

To glorify my God ; 
And suffer, since thou will'st, the state 

Of sacred widowhood. 

And may I, in thy strength, fulfil 

My awful character ; 
And prove thine acceptable will, 

And do thy pleasure heTe. 

The children to thyself restore, 
Whom thou to me hast giv'n ; 

And rule my house with all my pow'r 
And train them up for heav'n. 

Be this my hospitable care. 

The stranger to receive, 
The burden of thy Church to bear 3 

And all their wants relieve. 

My labour of unwearied love ? 

With pleasure to repeat ; 
My faith unto thy saints to prove. 
And gladly w T ash their feet. 

The servant of thy servants bless, 

With active earnest zeal ; 
And ev'ry work of righteousness 

I shall with joy fulfil. 



Wond'ring, I ask, where is the breast, 
Struggling so late, and rack'd with pain; 

The eyes that upward look for rest, 
Aed dropt their weary lids again ? 



254 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

The recent horrors still appear ; 

may they never cease to awe 
Still is the king of terrors near, 

Whom late in all his pomp I saw. 

Torture and sin prepar'd his way, 
And pointed to the yawning grave ; 

Darkness was spread o'er all the day, 
No hand was seen stretch' d forth to save. 

'Twas not the searching pain within, 
That fili'd the coward flesh with fear ; 

Nor consciousness of outward sin, 
Nor sense of dissolution near. 

In vain for hope he sought around, 
(The fruit of righteousness alone,) 

Kis soul afar from Christ was found, 
And started from a God unknown. 

,His feeble flesh refus'd to bear 

Its strong redoubled agonies ; 
When mercy heard his feeble prayer, 
And saw him faintly gasp for ease. 

1 Father ! if I may call thee mine, 
From heav'n and thee remov'd so far^ 

Draw near, — thy pitying eye incline, 
And cast not out my languid prayer. 

4 How shall I lift my guilty eyes, 

Or dare appear before thy face ? 
When, deaf to mercy's loudest cries, 

1 long have wearied out thy grace. 

6 Loos'd from my God, and far remov'd, 
Xong have I wander' d to and fro ; 

O'er earth in endless circles rov'd, 
And sought a place of rest below. 

« In darkness willingly I stray 'd, 
I sought thee, yet from thee I rov'd ; 

For wide my wand'ring thoughts were spread ; 
Thy creatures more than thee I lov'd. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 255 

6 Corrupt my will, nor half subdu'd ; 

Can I the purer presence bear ! 
Unchang'd, unhallow'd, unrenew'd, 

Dare I before thy face appear ? 

* Father of mercies, hear my call, 

Ere yet arrive the fatal hour ; 
Repair my loss, retrieve my fall. 

And raise me by thy qiiick'ning power. 

1 My nature re-exchange for thine, 

Be thou my Life, my Hope, my Gain ; 
Clothe me with righteousness divine, 

And death shall shake his dart in vain. 

* Could I the Saviour's voice but hear, 
And clasp him in my soul's embrace. 

Soon I'd dismiss my gloomy fear, 
And rest on his supporting grace. 

4 I nothing have wherein to trust, 

I nothing am — from nothing came ; 
Excluded is my every boast, 

My glory swallow' d up in shame. 

' Guilty I stand before thy face ; 

Thy wrath on me might well abide ; 
'Tis just the sentence should take place ; 

'Tis just, — but, oh ! thy Son has died I 

' Jesus, the Lamb of God, hath bled, 

He bare our sins upon the tree; 
Beneath our curse he bow'd his head, 
'Tis finish'd \ He hath died for me. 

i Lo ! now before the throne he stands, 

And pours the all-prevailing prayer ; 
Points to his side, and lifts his hands. 

And shows that I am graven there. 

c He ever lives for me to pray ; 

He prays that I with him may reign ; 
Amen, to what my Lord doth say, 

Jesus, thou canst not pray in vain. 



256 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

* A stranger long to thee and rest, 

Behold the prodigal is come : 
Open for me thine arms and breast, 
And take the weary wanderer home! 

i O draw me, Saviour, after thee ! 

So shall I run, and never tire; 
With gracious words still comfort me, 

My Life, my Hope, my sole Desire i 

4 Fain would I leave this earth below. 
Of pain and sin the dark abode j 

Where shadowy joy, or solid wo, 
Allures, or tears me from my God. 

" Whither should now my soul aspire, 
But heav'n-ward to my Saviour's breast ; 

Wafted on wings of warm desire, 
To gain her everlasting rest 1 

* Where thou, and only thou, art love ; 
Far from the world's insidious art ; 

beyond the rage of fiends remov'd, 
And safe from my deceitful heart. 

' There let me rest, and sin no more ; 

Come quickly, Lord, and end the strife ; 
Hasten my last, my mortal hour, 

Swallow me up in endless life. 

* Thankful I take the cup from thee, 

Prepared and mingled by thy skill ; 
Though bitter to the taste it be, 
It has a sov'reign power to heal. 

' When pains o'er my weak flesh prevail, 
With lamb -like patience arm my breast ; 

If fear my wounded soul assail, 
O cheer me by thy proinis'd rest ! 

* Speak to the fears that in my rise, 
Say to my trembling heart, Be still j 

O guide my hope beyond the skie? ? 
And fix my feet on Zion's hilL 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 257 

f Tis done ; life's struggle now is o'er, 

Close to my Saviour now I cling ; 

He saves me by redeeming power, 

Disarms the monster of his sting : 

The Saviour's kind, he takes me home ! 
Amen! sweet Jesus, come, Lord, come!' 

Peace, fluttering soul, the storm is o'er, 

Ended at last the doubtful strife ; 
He flies to heav'n, returns no more ; 

A widow thou, no more a wife. 



And wilt thou yet be found, 
And may I still draw near ? 

Then listen to the plaintive sound 
Of a poor sinner's prayer. 

Jesus, thine aid afford, 

If still the same thou art ; 
To thee I look, to thee, my Lord, 

Lift up a helpless heart. 

Thouseest my tortur'd breast, 

The strugglings of my \^ill ? 
The griefs that interrupt my rest, 

The agonies I feel. 

The daily death I prove, 

Saviour, to thee is known, 
'Tis worse than death, my God to love, 

And not my God alone. 

Immoderate sorrow chide, 

Who only canst control ; 
Canst turn the stream of nature's tide, 

And calm my troubled soul. 

Oh ! my much-injur'd Lord, 
Restore mine inward peace; 

I know, thou canst pronounce the woirl, 
And bid the tempest cease. 



25S LITE AND WRITINGS OF 

When shall thy love constrain, 
And force me to thy breast? 

When shall my soul return again 
Toher eternal rest? 

Thy condescending grace 

To me did freely move ; 
It calls me still to seek thy face, 

And stoops to ask my love. 

Ah ! what avails my strife, 
Distractiou, grief, and wo ! 

Thou hast the words of endless life,. 
To thee then let me go. 

Lord, at thy feet I fall, 

1 groan to be set free ; 
I fain would now obey thy call, 

And give up all for thee. 

To rescue me from wo, 

Thou didst with all things part ; 

Didst lead a life of grief below, 
To gain my worthless heart. 

My worthless heart to gain, 
The God of all that breathe 

Was found in fashion as a man, 
And died a cursed death. 

Take, then, O Saviour, take, 
And keep me ever thine ; 

Though late, I all for thee forsake, 
And more than life resign- 

Come, and possess me whole, 
Nor hence again remove ; 

Settle and fix my wavering soul, 
With all thy weight of love. 

My one desire be this, 
Thy love alone to know, 

To seek, and taste no other bliss, 
No other good below. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 259 

My Life, my Portion, thou, 

Thou all-sufficient art ; 
My Hope, my heav'nly Treasure, now 

Enter, and keep my heart. 

Rather than let it bum 

For earth, O quench its heat ; 
And when it would to earth return, 

O let it cease to beat. 

Snatch me from ill to come, 

When I from thee would fly ; 
O take my wand' ring spirit home, 

And grant me then to die. 



Sinking underneath my load. 

Darkly feeling aftei thee, 
Let me ask, c My God, my God, 
Why hast thou forsaken me ?' 
Why, O why, am I forgot? 
Lord, I seek, but find thee not. 

Still I ask, nor yet receive, 

Knock at the unopen'd door ; 
Still I struggle to believe, 

Hope, though urg'd to hope no more. 
Bearing what I cannot bear, 
Yielding, fighting with despair. 

Hear, in mercy, my complaint, 
Hear, and hasten to my aid ; 
Help, or utterly I faint ; 

Fails the spirit thou hast made : 
Still I at thy footstool keep, 
Fray and hope, despair and weep. 

Struggling in temptation's snare, 

Lo ! I ever look to thee ; 
Tempted more than I can bear 1 
No, my soul, it cannot be : 
True and faithful is his word, 
And thy sure Support the Lord- 



200 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Come, then, O my Saviour, come ! 

God of truth, no longer stay ; 
God of love, dispel the gloom, 
Point me out the prormVd way ; 
Let me from the trial fly, 
Sink into thy arms, and die. 

Waft me to that happy shore, 

Port of ease, and end of care. 
All my storms shall there he o'er, 
Grief shall never reach me there : 
Surely of my God possest, 
Safe in my Redeemer's breast. 



Rise, my soul, the dawn appears 

Of that eternal day : 
Quit, in hope, the vale of tears, 

And mount and soar away. 

Darting through this lower sphere, 
Quick as a seraphic flame ; 

Rise, the marriage feast to share 
Of Moses and the Lamb. 

In the wedding garb of love, 

By heav'nly pity drest ; 
I shall soon sit down above, 

At the celestial feast. 

To mine elder Brother join' d, 
I shall there my partner see; 

In the arms of Jesus find 
The soul that twin'd with me, 

There we shall with transport meet, 
And see our Saviour's face ; 

There the heav'nly song repeat, 
In ecstasy of praise. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM, 2G\ 

Bright as his, our bodies are 

Like the Head, the members shine ; 
All our open foreheads bear 

The glorious stamp divine. 

With the high and lofty One 

We dwell in bliss supreme ; 
Share the pleasures of his throne, 

And taste the crystal stream ; 

Banquet on angelic food, 

Father, Son, and Spirit know ; 
Drink the joys that flow from God, 

And shall for ever flow. 



A ERAGMENT. 



Mixt with the guardian angels, bend 
The heirs of glorious grace ; 

And still, like them, to heaven ascend, 
And still behold thy face. 

Happy, might I the grace receive, 
Which thy true widows share ; 

With God in close communion live 
A life of faith and prayer. 

In thee, my only Friend, confide 

Delightfully alone ; 
And desolate with thee abide, 

Till all my course be run. 

Surely, I now rely on thee, 

Within thine arms I am 5 
And trust the glorious face to see 

Of my triumphant Lamb. 

I know the prayer of faith is heard, 

I feel the answer given ; 
And haste, by holiness prepar'd, 

To meet my Lord in heaven. 



262 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 



LETTER S. 



TO MRS. GRANDIDIER. 



St. John's, Antigua, 177 5. 
MY DEAR MRS. G , 

The long and steady friendship which has sub- 
sisted between us in sickness and in health, in prosperity 
and in adversity, ever the same without change or dimi- 
nution, leaves me no room to doubt that it will extend 
to my little family, and that you will be as ready, to the 
utmost of your power, to befriend them, as you have 
been the dear father already gone, and your friend, who 
is, perhaps, about to follow. 

If it should please God to take me away in my ap- 
proaching confinement, I leave you and Captain G. 
full power to dispose of every thing in this house, and 
belonging to me in this island, as you shall think most 
for the advantage of my little family. You know that 
my extreme tenderness for their dear father, made me 
unable to part with any of his clothes ; but these can 
be of no consequence to me when I shall again have 
joined him for whose sake \L kept them ; you may 
therefore dispose of them, and also of my own, if you 
think that what they will fetch will be" of more service 
to the children. But I do not choose to leave any par- 
ticular directions about my trifling effects ; you will 
consult with other friends ; and I am certain that you 
will act for them to the best of your judgment. It is 
a great relief to my mind, that I have such steady and 



MRS, ISABELLA GRAHAM. 253 

tried friends to leave the charge of them upon. Miss 
G — B. has promised to take J—, and it is my desire, 
that the others, and the infant yet unborn, if it survive, 
be sent to my father, where I will leave them to be 
disposed of, and provided for, by that God who has fed 
me all my life ; their heavenly Father, who has com- 
manded me to leave my fatherless children upon him, 
who will preserve them alive, and whose promise I have, 
that he will never leave them, nor forsake them. 

Mr. Reid will not be less kind to the offspring of his 
friend, when they have lost, than when they were 
under, a mother's protection. May the blessing of the 
widow r and the fatherless follow him wherever he goes, 
and may God recompense him a thousand fold in bless- 
ings spiritual and temporal. Let Diana* be sent with 
my children ; if there be an infant you know a nurse 
must be found for it, whatever it cost. As for Susan*, 
I am at a loss what to do with her : my heart tells me 
that I have no right to entail slavery upon her and her 
offspring ; I know that I shall be blamed, but I am 
about to be called to account by a higher power than 
any in this world for my conduct, and I dare not allow 
her to be sold, I therefore leave it to herself, either to 
remain here, or if it be her desire, to accompany the 
children. I beg Mr. Reid will be kind enough to allow 
her a passage with the rest. 

And now, my dear friend, as the greatest happiness 
I can wish you, may that God whom 1 have chosen as 
my own portion, be yours also: may he by his out- 
ward providence, and by the inward operations of his 
Spirit on your heart, lead you to himself, and convince 
you of the truth. But, O my dear friend, shut not 

* The two Indian girls mentioned in the Life of Mrs. Graham. 



2C4 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

jour eyes and ears against conviction : you are not satis- 
fied that the Bible is indeed the word of God. Is it noi 
worth inquiring into ? What would you think of a 
man, who had a large fortune, and the whole depending 
on proving some certain facts, who yet would not 
be at the pains to inform himself ? Are the interests of 
this world of such importance, which in a few fleeting 
years we must leave, and have done with for ever ? 
And is our final state in the next, which is to fix us in 
happiness or misery through the endless days of eter- 
nity, not worth a thought ? Think, then, and seriously 
ask, What, if it be so ! What, if this be, indeed, the 
word of God, given by inspiration for the rule of both 
our faith and manners, by which we are to be judged ! 
What, if this same God, who so kindly reveals his will 
to men, has, with it, given the clearest evidences and 
strongest proofs that it his own word ! Think, I say, 
my dear friend, if it should be so, what they deserve, 
who either reject or neglect it, without taking the 
trouble to inform themselves, so as to be convinced, 
that it either is, or is not, of divine authority ! How 
many great, learned, and wise men, have sifted these 
evidences with the greatest care, and the deeper they 
entered into the search, the more clear they appeared. 
Even those whose lives are entirely contrary to it, and 
whose interest it is to wish itl false, cannot deny. As 
to the various explanations of it — it is every one's 
duty to read for himself; and although there may be 
some parts of it too deep for our capacity, and many 
parts which cannot be understood without an exact 
knowledge of ancient history ; yet the simple truths of 
the gospel, what we are to believe concerning God, 
and what duties he requires of us, and what he forbids, 
are equally plain and easy. If we can only once be 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 2Cy& 

satisfied that it is indeed the word of God, set ourselves 
to study it with an unprejudiced mind, with a sincere 
desire to know the truth, and be led by it, with earnest 
prayer, that the same Spirit which inspired the writers, 
would make it plain to our hearts and understandings, 
that God himself would teach us its true meaning, and 
save us from error ! we shall, I venture to say, be taught 
all necessary knowledge, and be led in the way to eternal 
life : we have God's promise that it shall be so. " If any 
man will do my will, he shall know of the doctrine 
whether it be of God." 

Forgive me, my dear friend; the subject appears to 
me so important, that I know not how to have done. 
I love you with a sincere friendship ; I love your soul, 
and am deeply interested in its eternal happiness. 
Once more I commit you to that God who only can 
lead you to himself and to true happiness: and that 
you may know the truth of this from deep experience, 
to the eternal joy, peace and safety of your immortal 
soul, is the last prayer of your affectionate friend, who 
hopes to meet and rejoice with you in our Redeemer's 
kingdom. 

ISABELLA GRAHAM. 



EXTRACTS OF LETTERS TO P- 



Chiefly written ivhen she was in Affliction. 

February 10, 1797. 
MY EVER DEAR FRIEND, 

The desire of writing you a long letter has 
occasioned a shameful delay on my part. One thing I 



266 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

can assure you of— you have been much on my mind, and 
the subject of all our prayers. 

Tears of joy ran down my cheeks, when J told 

me the state of your mind ; and I thank our good and 
gracious God for opening your eyes to see the vanity 
of this world, the corruption of your own heart, your 
need of the atoning blood, and a better righteousness 
than your own. Hail, my sister in Jesus ! Flesh and 
blood have not taught you this, but your Father who 
is in heaven : the work is his, evidently his ; and being- 
begun, he will carry it on, and finish it too. Commit 
your soul, then, into his hands : he " came not to call the 
righteous, but sinners to repentance ;" his errand to our 
world was to seek and to save the lost. Trusting in 
his mercy, through Christ, your soul is as safe as his 
word is true ; for none perish that trust in him, " Trust 
in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not to thine own 
understanding ;" be not discouraged because of dea,d- 
ness, darkness, wandering, want of love, want of spiri- 
tuality, want of any kind ; who told you of these evils 
and wants ? The Sun of Righteousness shining into 
your soul, has shown you many of the evils there ; but 
the half you know not yet. The more you learn of the 
holiness and purity of the divine nature, and spirituality 
of the divine law, the more you will be dissatisfied with 
every thing yours. Even a holy Apostle said — " In me, 
(that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing. The flesh 
lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the 
flesh ; so that the things that I would I do not, and the 
things that I would not, that I do. Yet it is not I" (not 
my new nature) "but sin that dwelleth in me; for to w T ill 
is present with me, but how to perform that which is 
good, I find not." 

If this was the case with the Apostle, who sealed his 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 267 

testimony with his life, is it strange that you and I should 
have hearts full of all abominable things ? These realities 
are cause of deep humility before God, but none of 
despair or doubt ; all are guilty and vile alike, the whole 
head is sick, and the whole heart unsound ; therefore we 
need Christ to atone for our sin, to cover our naked souls 
with his imputed righteousness, and to be Surety for us ; 
to sanctify us by his Spirit, and prepare us for the 
purchased inheritance. O try to rest in him : believe it, 
you are complete in him : give over, my dear friend, 
poring and diving into your own heart and frames, and 
try to trust in an almighty Saviour, to save you from 
foes without, and foes within. Read Romaine's Walk 
and Life of Faith : he himself attained to a high degree 
of holiness, by getting out of himself, and trusting, 
resting, believing, from day to day, for grace, for every 
duty as it occured. The promise runs, "As thy day, 
so shall thy strength be/ 7 

1 cannot, at this distance, and knowing nothing of 
the state of things in your neighbourhood, offer you 
any advice with respect to outward means ; but, if you 
know any truly pious spiritual minister, I should think 
it your duty to lay open your mind to him. You may 
find in books matter as good as any man living can 
speak ; but it is the Lord's appointed way, and he often 
honours his servants, his ministers, by making them 
messengers of peace and comfort to his children. u Are 
any sick ? Let them call for the elders of the church, and 
let them pray over them." See how the Christians of old 
associated with one another ! 

I am, now, doubly yours, &e. 

I. G. 



N 2 



268 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

March, 1799. 
MY EVER DEAR FRIEND, 

I have just read your letter : you are now in 
heaviness ; but the day will soon break, and the shadows 
flee away, and the dear Saviour whom you seek will again 
comfort his returning prodigal. 

I will do what you desire me ; and though I have the 
highest opinion of our young Timothy I. M., I will pass 
by him in this case, and lay it before one of the aged 
Christians, Dr. R — rs, or Dr. L — n ; at the same time, 
my friend, I am as sure of their answer, as if I were 
already in possession of it. Who told my friend that 
she was blind and miserable, and wretched, and naked ? 
Flesh and blood never yet taught proud man or woman 
this lesson. 

My dear friend, there is nothing new or strange, hi 
all you have told me : there is scarcely one heaven- 
taught soul that has made any advances in the spiritual 
warfare, but could sympathize with you, from experience. 
What have you experienced more than the Scriptures 
tell us — that " the heart is deceitful above all things, 
and desperately wicked ?" Only the Lord can search 
it, only he can cleanse it. He takes the prerogative 
to himself, and he calls it his covenant that he will 
make with sinners in gospel times. You may strive 
and fight, and resolve and vow — all will not do : you 
lie at his mercy for holiness, as well as pardon. He 
is exalted as a Prince, to give repentance ; and he is 
the Author and Finisher of Faith. He works all our 
works in us, and without him we are not equal to one 
good thought. We are his workmanship, " created anew 
in Christ Jesus." My dear friend, put the work into his 
hand, and try to wait in hope ; hope in every situation ; 
do more, " trust," 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 269 

You entirely mistake the situation of others ; none of 
us have our heaven here : no, sin dwelleth in us ; 
the very best have their ups and downs. Do you 
think that your friend is always on the mount ? Very 
far from it. I am at times so cold, so dead, so stupid, 
that I can neither pray, read, nor hear. I have begun 
the same chapter over and over, still trying to fix my 
thoughts ; and, as often, they wander towards every 
trifle : but my peace lies where you will soon learn to 
place yours ; in the merits of my almighty Saviour ; my 
safety depends, not on my frames, but his promise ; and 
I am equally safe when tossed and tempted ; and, when 
buffetted, like you, with abominable thoughts, the fiery 
darts of Satan, as w T hen basking in the sunshine of his 
love, and tasting what you have tasted, for you have 
tasted, and you shall yet taste, the joys of his salvation. 
I, too, have proved false to his covenant, have gone off 
with the world, and been intoxicated with its vanities, 
and empty delights, and have laid up for myself seasons 
of deep remorse ; my sins have often separated between 
my God and me, especially in my younger days. The 
Lord calls to watchfulness and diligence in the use of 
means, and he generally honours these means, of his 
own appointing, with his blessing. When we either 
trust to these means, and fancy merit in them, or neglect 
to use them as his appointment, he generally makes us to 
feel our error ; but he does not cast us out of his family : 
he chastens us, and restores us. 

I write hastily, just to say that you have my sympathy 
and my love ; for, well I know, the almighty Lord alone 
can loose your bonds, and give you " joy and peace in 
believing." All my advice may be summed up in this 
— Trust in the Lord with all your heart ; at least aim 
at this : I say, aim at it ? for this too must be given you. 

X 3 



270 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Roll yourself, your doubts, your fears, your sins, your 
duties, all, all on him ; say, " Lord, I believe ; help ray 
unbelief.' ' He is an almighty Saviour, to deliver sinners 
from sin as well as from punishment. I leave you on 
the Father of mercies, and will, when the Lord enables, 
pray for you. 

Yours, &c. 



At last, my dear friend, the Lord appears ; appears 
the Bible God ; " the Lord God, merciful and gracious, 
long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, keeping 
mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, 
and sin." 

When was it that the Lord proclaimed this, and took 
unto himself this name ? After Israel his chosen, had 
been guilty of that awful sin in the wilderness, of making 
the golden calf, and proclaiming, " these be thy Gods, 
O Israeli David takes it up in the 103d Psalm ; " The 
Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plen- 
teous in mercy." — Read on, my dear ; then turn to the 
130th; this God is your God, and has long been, your 
God ; his work was upon your heart, though you could 
not discern it. In bondage you have long been, but 
not a willing captive ; unbelief kept you in bondage, 
long, long after your eyes were opened to see your 
bondage ; and even to discern, in some feeble measure, 
your remedy. The Lord has wise reasons for all you 
have suffered : if not now, you shall, in some after time, 
11 know and consider all the way by which he has led 
you, to prove you, to try you, and show you what was in 
your heart, that he might do you good in your latter 
end." You did not wait patiently for the Lord your God ; 
you did not, in general, say, " Though he slay me, I 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 271 

will trust in him." — No ; my friend has been a great un- 
believer, yet hath the Lord, the sovereign Lord, " whose 
ways are not as our ways, nor his thoughts as our 
thoughts," brought you out of a " fearful pit, and out of 
the miry clay ; set your feet upon a rock, and established 
your goings ; put a new song into your mouth, even praise 
unto our God." Now you sing the 34th Psalm. I rejoice 
with my friend ; I bless the Lord with her ; let us exalt 
his name together. It is establishing to my own soul. I 
have long prayed and long looked for this : I lived in the 
faith of it, assured that he who had begun the good work 
would perfect it in his own time. 

I cannot but regret your want of pastoral food ; yet 
ought I to regret any thing ? The Lord himself is 
your Shepherd ; my Bible lies on my lap. I had 
turned to the 34th Psalm, to know if it contained 
what I would point out to you; on finishing the last 
verse, I unconsciously turned mine eye on the Bible ; 
the words that met it were in the 32d Psalm, 8th 
verse ; " I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way 
that thou shalt go : I will guide thee with mine eye." 
And so it shall be. Amen, my God, Amen. Do as thou 
hast said. 

Perhaps, my friend, by this time, your notes are 
lowered. It has pleased the Lord to give you a strange 
sight — Mary Magdalene, a great sinner, at the feet of 
Jesus, pardoned, comforted, and highly honoured in after- 
life. This history, accompanied by the Spirit of God, has 
consoled, strengthened, and raised up many bowed down 
since that day ; many now around the throne, who sing of 
pardoning love. 

I now wish to say, Hold fast the beginning of your 
confidence. Your exercise is that of God ? s people. 
To rejoice in the Lord at all times is your privilege, 

Hi 4 



272 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

but will not be always your attainment. The Lord 
has done great things for you, whereof I am glad : but, 
my dear friend, the warfare is not over: you must 
endure trials as others ; you must engage with u principa- 
lities and powers, and with spiritual wickedness in high 
places ;" and, worst of all, a treacherous heart within ; 
which, after all that it has seen and tasted, is yet 
corrupt and deceitful: the new life which Christ gives 
to the soul, evidences itself in the desires of the heart 
and affections. As certainly as the new-born babe desires 
the breast, as certainly, and as evidently, does the 
new-born soul desire union to God, communion with 
him, and conformity to him, in heart, life, and conver- 
sation. This principle is, in its own nature, perfectly 
pure ; but the old nature, the law in the spiritual mem- 
bers, is as perfectly corrupt ; " in my flesh dwelleth no 
good thing." 

In the order of God's covenant, it has not pleased 
him to deliver even believers, all at once, from sinful 
inclinations and passions ; he has provided for their final, 
complete deliverance, and sin shall not have dominion 
over them even here ; but it is still in them while in 
the body, and a dying body ; and the remains of sin 
in the soul make the believer's life a warfare, and this 
world a wilderness ; soul and body are diseased ; both 
are redeemed, and provision made for the entire deliver- 
ance of both ; for the soul at death, for the body at the 
resurrection ; but, while in the body, (l John, i. 8.) " if 
any man say that he hath no sin, he deceiveth himself, 
and the truth is not in him." Look at Paul's experience 
— what does he say of the believer's state ? He calls it 
a warfare, a fight, a captivity for a time : see 1 Timothy, 
vi. 12, 1 Corinthians, ix. 26. 

I write not thus to dishearten you, but., as a friend, 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 27$ 

I warn you, lest you fall again into unbelief. Look not 
within for comfort, for consolation, for confidence. Christ 
is the End of the law for righteousness, his blood the 
atonement, and you are complete in him : his grace is 
sufficient for you, his strength shall be perfected in your 
weakness, and you shall go on. Grieve for sin you will, 
grieve you ought ; but keep ever in your remembrance, 
1 John, ii. 1. v. 11. 

Yours, &c. 



December 22, 1801. 

I dedicate the first of my temporal labours, on re- 
turning health, to my dear P. Our Father's rod has 
been upon your friend and her family. I suppose by this 
time, through Miss P., .to whom I mentioned the cir- 
cumstance, you have heard that it has pleased God to 
remove our dear I. S. The stroke has been severely 
felt : she was one of those fascinating children that lay 
hold of every heart, at first sight ; and, having been 
long sickly, was become a woman in sense; pity and 
compassion for her sufferings, alternate hopes and fears 
for the issue, all tended to endear the little siren, and 
tighten the cord of affection. The stroke, after all, came 
unexpected. She had a gentle passage, and is now a 
member of that kingdom of little children, whom Christ 
pronounced blessed. 

I was reading this day some of the first chapters of 
Matthew. John the Baptist made his appearance in 
the wilderness : he was clothed with skins : his meat 
was locusts and wild honey. When he had delivered 
his message for an appointed time, he was cast into 
prison, and then beheaded. This led my mind to think 

N 5 






274 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

how few, of all God's favourites, had any comfort on 
earth. 

What a trying life Moses had ! Aaron had little 
better ; David, though a king, was a man of deep afflic- 
tion. Jeremiah was cast into a dungeon ; and for many 
days sunk deep in mire ; his whole life, a life of contest. 
All Christ's Apostles were driven from city to city, often 
in want of the necessaries of life, and all but one were 
put to death for their testimoirf . 

Jesus himself was a man of sorrows, his visage 
marred with grief. He, even He, was made perfect 
by suffering. We are apt to think that we could have 
suffered any thing but this. Of all crosses, this is the 
heaviest, for one of my temper, strength, and former 
habits of life. It may be so, and yet exactly that which 
is calculated to promote our best interest. O for faith 
in the wisdom and the love of God, and for patience to 
endure unto the end ! To suffer the will of God, is yet 
more honourable than to do the will of God in prosperous 
circumstances. 

When I was with my friend, she was wont to say, 
i I must just lie at the fountain, I make no progress.' 
My dear, I must ever, ever, return to that fountain. 
I desire to be found there at the moment when his 
word shall command my soul into his presence. Every 
review I take of my past life, I find more and more to 
repent of; and every day furnishes fresh matter for 
that exercise. I feel, like Noah's dove, no rest for the 
sole of my foot, out of that ark. I have been blessed 
with thousands and ten thousands of mercies, which 
have been marked with as many millions of marks of 
ingratitude. I have backslidden, and been restored 
times without number; and still my heart turns aside 
like a deceitful bow, Great and numerous have been 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 275 

my opportunities of serving my God in my day and 
generation : but woful has been my misimprovement ! 
Many of my friends think I have done well ; but they 
see not as God sees ; they see not as God has made 
myself to see, and I see not the thousandth part of the 
heinousness and the aggravation of my transgressions ; 
and yet after all, I dare look up. I can be but " the 
chief of sinners," and for such Christ died. He died for 
the ungodly. All without exception are invited to 
take refuge in his atoning sacrifice and meritorious 
life. In all my life, I have not done one single deed 
that will bear being weighed in the balance of the 
sanctuary. But in God's gift, Christ Jesus, I have a 
complete righteousness ; here is my whole depend ance ; 
in this dependance I dare face my judge, and no 
other. 

Here is the same dependance for you, my friend ; 
and although your faith be but a trembling hope, if 
you have no other, it is a safe hope. I know it is your 
desire, as it is mine, to live to Him who died for us ; 
to be delivered from in-dwelling sin and corruption ; 
and to be conformed to the image of our dear Lord. 
This is done in part, it will go on, and in due time shall 
be perfected ; but it is God's way, that, the more we 
advance in conformity to God's law, the more he en- 
lightens us in the nature, extent, and spirituality of it ; 
and the more he opens to view the deceitfulness of the 
heart, so as to keep his children humble and pressing 
forward. 

I desire never to be satisfied with myself, but ever 
to see so much of God's law in my own heart, as to 
reckon myself the chief of sinners, and the least of 
saints ; but I desire to be full of confidence in Christ : 
here I cannot err; all the promises are free to every 

w 6 



276 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

one trusting in Christ. Eternal life is a free gift — 
comfort, steadfastness, and high degrees of sanctifica- 
tion, it hath pleased God to make dependant on our 
faith, and diligence in the use of means. When I say 
faith, I mean faith in exercise, watchfulness, prayer, and 
reading ; but the gift of eternal life is free, the sole 
purchase of another ; and when we take hold of God's 
covenant, he will keep hold of us, by discipline, if 
need be. 



January U, 1800. 
My dear friend says, i O that I could have the society 
of some aged pious clergyman or Christian, who had 
gone through his warfare.' O that you could, in the 
Lord's hand ! I hope it might do you good ; yet, after 
all, the Lord himself must loose your bonds ; and he 
will, and also appoint the means. 

There are two kinds of rest awaiting you, the one in 
this life, the other will not be attained until mortal shall 
put on immortality. When was it that Paul, the great 
Apostle, could say, that he had fought the good fight ? 
Not till he could also say, that he had finished his course, 
and was ready to be offered up ; till then, he, like others, 
had to continue the warfare between grace and corrup- 
tion ; like others, he found a law in his members, warring 
against the law of his mind, so that the thing he would, 
he did not, and that which he would not, that he did. 
Notwithstanding, there is a blessed rest attainable here, 
rest from the fear of wrath and hell ; a rest in Christ as 
our Atonement, our Surety, our complete Righteousness, 
our Title to eternal life, and all the grace necessary to fit 
us for it. This is the work of faith, or rather this is faith 
itself. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 277 

The soul, established in this, can rest in all possible 
circumstances ; it depends not on its frames ; in darkness, 
when it is tossed, tempted, wandering, conscious of 
unhallowed tempers, perhaps of the actual commission of 
sin, though, at such times, the warfare between grace and 
corruption is so strong, as to make the Christian exclaim, 
1 O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from 
this body of sin and death V he can still say, c The 
Lord lives, blessed be my Rock ;' see the 42d and 43d 
Psaltns. The Christian can still say, My Lord and my 
God ; he is sure that the conflict will end, and that 
his God will bring good out of it ; he enjoys hope ; he 
feels his state as safe as in the most enlarged frame 
of mind, when he can pray, praise, love, rejoice. This 
is a riddle which only Christians can understand ; and 
even they require many lessons to comprehend it, many 
more to practise. 

Have you Newton's letters ? See his second letter in 
Cardiphonia. O try to fix your anchor of hope on that 
sure foundation which God has laid in Zion — Christ 
himself. Trust him to save you from every evil without 
you, and within you. When your own weakness sinks 
you, try to be strong in his strength ; when guilt disturbs, 
wash in the open fountain. But hold fast the beginning 
of your confidence unto the end. 

Be comforted, fight on, aim at trusting, and you shall 
in the Lord's time also cease from your own works, and 
rest with more advanced Christians on the faithfulness 
of your own God in Christ. See Hebrews, iv. 9 ; , also 
chap. xii. throughout. 1 finish with chap. xiii. 20, 21, 
my earnest prayer, and sure hope, for you, my precious 
friend ! 



278 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

November 28, 1801. 

My dear friend's letter is truly in the Pilgrim's style. 
O that slough of despond, to the end of which you have 
not got ! It is hard for you to believe that your compas- 
sionate Saviour stands by, and sees, with power to relieve, 
but does not ; and yet loves you better than you love 
yourself. Alas, poor pilgrim ! Yet pilgrim you are, and 
shall have a pilgrim's portion. The Lord knows all 
your troubles and perplexities ; you are bound to believe 
that " the very hairs of your head are numbered.'' 
Often, my dear, think on the suffering life your Re- 
deemer led on earth, and all the apostles and prophets. 
You are not to have your portion in this world ; and 
you are to be tried and purified in the school of affliction. 
Say, would you exchange with those who are at ease? I 
hope not. 

Christian left a jovial company behind him, in the 
valley of destruction : but, oh, the difference in the 
end! And, my dear friend, the end will soon come. 
Try to cast your soul, your body, your temporal and 
your spiritual concerns, your husband, your children, 
your all, on a God of rich grace. It will soon be over, 
even at the worst. As to your children ; it may be in 
great mercy, that the Lord keeps from them the means 
of being fitted for gay life ; sure am I, happiness does 
not depend on any style of living. Ask for them the 
provision of the new covenant, and that lot in life 
which God sees to be most conductive to their eternal 
interest. 

Gladly would I spend part of the winter with you ; 
and could, with pleasure, and without suffering, sleep 
in a room without fire, and share in all your troubles ; 
but I dare not leave my post : I desire to trudge along, 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 279 

by the King's high-way of duty, to the habitation which 
the Lord my God has provided for me. I am not my 
own. I too am under trial ; few days pass over my head, 
which do not witness many tears, I look not for comfort 
in this world, but I have comfort in the prospect of 
another. 

I long to hear from you, if you enjoy health, if the 
children do : above all, if you attain to any measure of 
resignation, any measure of confidence and hope through 
faith in the Redeemer's righteousness. Aim at it, my 
dear friend; call him your Lord, and your God, your 
Husband, your Friend ; pour all your complaints into his 
bosom ; groan, sigh, on your knees, and plead for 
patience and resignation, strength and fortitude, under 
the cross, to carry it all the length he has appointed. 
Cast your burden on the Lord, and try to leave it there. 
Essay to go forth to the laborious duty he has been 
pleased to call you to, with cheerfulness and alacrity. 
Go, depending on strength being communicated from 
hour to hour ; look for it, and go forward in the faith 
of it. 



Greenwich, September 26, 1805. 

MY DEAR FRIEND, 

I arrived here on Monday. I found my children, 
in health, but much affected with the death of the amiable 
youth M — , and the melancholy situation of his bereaved 
parents. 

The epidemic spreads over the city in every direction 
among the few remaining in it : all the public offices are 
here ; crowds of the citizens ; and houses and stores 
spring up in a day: all is bustle and confusion, and 
all seem mad on business. 



280 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Parting with my dear friend was most painful ; so 
painful, that nothing could alleviate it, but the presence 
of my own children ; who, could there have been room, 
from deeper sorrows, would have shared it with me. 
O that I could put my God, in my place, in your 
heart ! What are earthly friends? How few are steady 
against all change of circumstances ? Of these, fewer 
still have it in their power to supply every link of 
friendship's chain ; a thousand unforeseen incidents dis- 
appoint their wishes, and frustrate their hopes, rendering 
abortive their greatest exertions. But there is " a Friend," 
everywhere present, thoroughly acquainted with every 
circumstance of the heart, and of the life ; all powerful 
to relieve ; whose life is invariable, and ever the most 
tender, when every other friend stands aloof; a Friend 
in adversity ; " a Friend who sticketh closer than a 
brother," whose " love surpasseth the love of women. 
This Friend receiveth sinners — casts out none who come 
to him. He was never known to disappoint the hopes 
of any poor sinner. He receives them into his heart ; 
he takes all their burdens and cares on himself, pays 
all their debts, answers all demands against them, and 
is every way Surety for them : they become his own, 
no one has any thing to say to them, but himself. 
He knows them— how apt to err, to wander, yea, to 
forget him, and prove ungrateful ; all this he knows, 
but he has made provision for all. He has a rod, and 
he will subdue their iniquities. He will heal their 
backslidings, he will bring back and restore his wan- 
derers. He will in due time perfect what concerns 
them, and present them to his Father, purified, without 
j^X)t or wrinkle. 

In the mean time, he requires them to confide in 
him ; to go up through this wilderness, leaning upon 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 281 

him ; to tell him all their complaints and griefs, and to 
comfort themselves ; and he will impress the comfort, 
by meacs of his great and precious promises, scattered 
like so many pearls through his sacred Bible, tabled 
there, on purpose for us to ground our prayers upon, 
and delight ourselves in. This is your friend's Friend, 
and of ten thousand beside. This was Magdalene's Friend ; 
this, the persecuting Paul's Friend ; wicked Manasseh's 
Friend ; the adulterous, murderous David's Friend. And 
he is your Friend, though your eyes are holden, that you 
see him not. He is leading you by a way that you know 
not. This is one of his characters, " I will bring the 
blind by a way that they know not." 

I was happy to find your niece was to return with 
Mr. P — ; but, my dear, a painful dread has assaulted 
my peace, lest Satan get the advantage by means of a 
stranger in the family, and undo what has been begun. 
The world may have peace without God ; but you shall 
not. You have, however feebly, taken hold of his 
covenant ; and he will keep you to your choice. Psalm 
lxxix. 30. 



November, 1805. 

MY DEAR TRIEND, 

This is not our rest ; through much tribulation 
all Christ's discipbs must follow him. There is a rest 
prepared for the people of God, as far as tasted in this 
world ; (and in this world it is tasted ;) it consists in a 
mind resigned to the will of God, in proportion as it can 
say, " Thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven." 
Christ himself was made perfect through suffering, and 
all his followers shall be so in their appointed measure. 
What is our cup to his ? O my dear friend, we are 



282 XIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

ransomed, we are redeemed ; and we are fitting and pre- 
paring for the purchased inheritance, that perfect rest 
for the people of God, when their warfare is finished. Let 
him do all his pleasure with us here ; let him subdue our 
iniquities in his own way; let him glorify his name by our 
sufferings—his glory is connected with his people's best 
interests. We shall one day acknowledge that he has 
done all things well, and that not one word of all that he 
has promised has failed. 

It has pleased the Lord to take from us our dear 
sweet Rebecca ; young as she was, through much tri- 
bulation she entered in ; I have scarcely seen severer 
suffering, or a harder dismission. It is well; the Lord 
will answer his own ends by it, for the good of all con- 
cerned, as well as for his own glory. Our dear G. was 
ill at the same time, and all hope was lost as to him 
also ; for a whole week we looked upon him as dying. 
A bold measure was taken with him, which succeeded ; 
the Lord had commanded life : it was not thought of 
for her. God had appointed to her an entrance into 
life eternal. It is all well. Blessed, blessed be his 
name ; for her he has taken and him he has restored, 
both equally! I. G. S — was confined at the same time 
with a broken arm ; N. B — with the fever and pleurisy. 
Deep have been the wounds in this aged heart, not yet 
weaned from earth, but tremblingly alive to every thing 
that concerns my children. Yet I do give up. I have 
asked but one thing with importunity, and by that 
I abide. I did not ask for temporal life, but the life 
which Christ died to purchase, and lives to bestow : 
let him answer my petition by means of his own ap- 
pointing ; by health or by sickness, by riches or by 
poverty, by long life or by early death — only let all 
mine, by the ties of nature, be his by regeneration of his 
Spirit. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 283 

August 24, 1810. 
MY DEAR FRIEND, 

I bless and praise our gracious God for his late 
manifestations to you in the midst of so many turnul- 
tuating circumstances, calculated to stir up corruption, 
and prevent that rest -which you so much needed. For 
this manifestation I have earnestly prayed ; and I have 
expected it, not because I prayed for it, but because it 
is often the Lord's way, when his poor, erring, wan- 
dering creatures, are at their wit's end, saying, " There 
is no hope," to manifest himself a God at hand, the al- 
mighty Saviour, saying, " O ye of little faith, wherefore 
did ye doubt ? Ye have destroyed yourselves ; but in me 
is your help ; let not your heart be troubled, neither let it 
be afraid." 

I will answer all your queries in one. Were you an 
" outcast," the Lord would never have dealt with you as 
he has done ; not only now that you feel his love in 
some measure shed abroad in your heart, but years 
ago, when you felt only enmity there, the last feeling 
was as certain an evidence of the Lord's gracious deal- 
ings with you as the first. It is the Spirit that con- 
vinced of sin. It was the Spirit that convinced you 
years ago, not only of your sin, but of your helpless- 
ness. It was the Spirit that produced that self-con- 
demnation, self-loathing, which you experienced : it 
was the Spirit that opened your eyes, to discern the 
holiness, the spirituality, and the perfection of that law 
by which you stood condemned in yourself. O my 
friend, the dead in trespasses and sins have no such 
views. The same Spirit pointed out the Saviour many 
a time ; and, however feebly, you did sigh after him ; 
you did desire to love him and to serve him. But my 



2S4 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

dear, there was a stumbling-block in your way, to pre- 
sent peace and rest. Your language was, ' O that I 
were worthy ; but I am such a sinner, so unworthy, 
my corruptions are so strong, my heart so hard, I can- 
not believe.' It was all true, it is true at this hour — 
but it appeared to me that you kept back — you did not 
lay hold on the hope set before you, so as to obtain 
peace and comfort : you did not account it " a faithful 
saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ 
came into the world to save sinners,' ' even the chief ; you 
did not realize the invitation, " Look unto me, all the 
ends of the earth, and be ye saved, for I am God, and 
there is none else. And Jesus stood and cried, If any 
man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink — Whosoever 
will, let him come, and take of the water of life freely. 
Him that cometh unto me I will in nowise cast out." 
Again, " This is the record, that God giveth to you eternal 
life, and this life is in his Son. The wages of sin is 
death, but the gift of God is eternal life." Now, what is 
the plain simple meaning of all this ? In the plan of 
redemption, in the counsels of Jehovah, Jesus Christ, 
the second person of the incomprehensible Trinity, is 
" sanctified, set apart, substituted" in the room of con- 
demned sinners, to take their nature upon him, their 
sins upon him, their duties upon him ; to become a com- 
plete Surety in every respect, to sustain the penalty in his 
own person ; to yield a complete perfect obedience to 
every demand of the law in his own life and death : in 
a word, to work out a perfect, complete, justifying 
righteousness for us in his own person. It was not 
wrought in us, it is a finished work without us — to this 
nothing of ours is to be added ; with this nothing of 
ours is to be mixt ; it is the sinner's by pure imputa- 
tion, and perfectly distinct from that holiness of heart 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 285 

and life which is wrought in us, in consequence of this 
imputed righteousness. The Holy Ghost says, by the 
mouth of the Apostle, " Christ is the end of the law for 
righteousness, and ye are complete in him— He was made 
sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of 
God in him." This is the righteousness, the clean linen, 
pure and white, the wedding-garment ; all the types 
of the law of Moses pointed out this. In this " God 
beholds no iniquity of Jacob nor transgression in Israel." 
Christ himself, his Person, as well as his work, is the 
Gift of God to sinners, to be their Head, their Hus- 
band, their Life, as well as their Prophet, Priest, and 
King. By the same plan, all is put in the sinner's 
offer, and secured to him, simply upon his accepting. 
It is the divine appointment, " that to as many as 
receive him, to them gives he power to become the sons 
of God." But the gift must first be received by the 
sinner, as a sinner— then the promise follows, or rather 
goes with it, * power to become his child." It is in 
the first act of simple faith, that I think my friend has 
come short ; not of eternal life — no— faith she has 
long had to be saved ; but has not entered into present 
rest. He that hath entered into rest, hath ceased from 
his own works, as God did from his. You have kept 
looking for evidences in yourself, instead of crediting 
the invitation and the promise. It is not God's ordinary 
way to give such evidences. The man with the withered 
hand might as reasonably have said, ' Lord, let me 
first feel strength, and then I will believe, that I shall 
be able to stretch it out/ The Lord has dealt in great 
mercy with you. There is much faith expressed in 
your letter ; but it is, through the great condescension 
of your merciful Father, accompanied and strengthened 
by a sensible manifestation. He has allowed you to 



2$6 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

see fruit, to feel his love as well as to believe ; to be 
strong in faith for the time. These are evidences, 
undoubted evidences, that you have passed from death 
unto life, and are safe in his covenant mercy. They are 
certain evidences of the reality of your being in Christ ; 
but, my dear friend, these feelings may not be evidences 
to your apprehension three days. Try now to rest 
on the promise ; keep to it ; " Though he slay me, yet 
will I trust in him ;" and take the Gift of God for 
the foundation of your rest. 1 John, v. 10, 11,12,13. 
This record was as true, under all the tumult expressed 
in your last melancholy epistle, as during the con- 
soling exercise of this. You change, but God never. 
Satan desired to have you, that he might sift you as 
wheat: but Christ prayed for you. Temptation may 
return, but hold fast the promise. " God giveth to you 
eternal life." Be assured, the more firmly and steadily 
you can believe this, the more you will grow in love 
to God, and all holy obedience ; watch against doubts, 
they come from the enemy ; and listened to, they 
give him great advantage over you, for faith is your 
shield. 



March, 1811. 
I am daily on the look-out; one year and three 
months will complete my threescore and ten. I do 
not know one individual alive, whom I knew in my 
school-days ! it has been the case for many years. I 
do not long for my dismission, neither am I tired of 
life ; but nothing in this world, unless closely connected 
with another, interests me ; and I am tired of sin ; still 
it cleaves to me ; in all things I come short, and many 
duties I neglect altogether : for I still have a consider- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 2S7 

able share of health, and might do some good, had I 
will equal to my opportunities : as to the power, it is 
not in me, but I know that I have it in my blessed 
Head, and for the asking. I cannot but long to be 
delivered from sin, and sinful apathy in particular : for 
really my heart must be wickedly fertile, to find out 
opportunities of moral transgression. Food and raiment 
are mine, without care ; my children, under God, 
care for me. I have my dear little room : my Bible, 
and books founded on it. I have a dear Pastor, and 
Christian Friends, lively ordinances, and also much of 
the Lord's presence at times ; my cup runs over with 
blessings, but my gratitude bear no proportion ; my 
zeal for the glory of God, and the good of my fellow- 
sinners, seem buried under self-indulgence and apathy. 
O that the goodness of the Lord may lead me to re- 
pentance. 

And now, my dear friend, let me know how it is with 
you and your dear family. The severe winter is past ; 
how have you got along ? With what temporal com- 
fort ? And how has the Lord dealt with your soul ? 
Has the barrel of meal, or the cruse of oil failed ? 
Does the opening spring cheer your spirits, and fur- 
nish a song of praise ? Does it find you in a situation 
to dig your garden, sow your seeds, and make provi- 
sion for future comfort ? Has the Lord turned your 
captivity, and dried up the bitter waters that flowed 
against you? How are your eyes, after all the briny 
tears that have steeped them? How are your poor 
nerves, after all the shocks that have agitated them? 
All these things have been on my mind ; but, from my 
long silence, you cannot believe it. What are we all, 
but broken reeds which pierce the hand when laid 
hold of for support ? There is but one Friend to poor, 



288 LIFE AND WRITINGS OP 

fallen, miserable man, in the universe. He is Mercy ; 
He is Goodness ; He is Truth ; He is Wisdom ; He is 
unchangeable, and never will fail you; take him to 
your heart ; give it all to him : he only is worthy, no 
other is. 



June 27, 1811. 

I received my dear friend's letter this day week, 
and have been answering it ever since. Never was I 
in such a strait. It contains the effusions of disap- 
pointed hopes and anticipations of sore evils ; indicates 
a soul deeply wounded, and taking in Christian princi- 
ples, under temptation. Where shall I begin ; I have 
laid it before our compassionate High Priest : I have 
requested direction. Assist me, O thou blessed Com- 
forter, whose office it is to convince of sin, as well as 
to minister consolation ! Do both, from the heart, and 
by the pen of thy handmaid. 

It appears to me salutary, to call your attention, first 
to the sovereignty of God. The silver and the gold 
are his, and the cattle on a thousand hills ; he giveth 
them to whomsoever he pleaseth: he setteth up one 
and putteth down another, doing whatsoever pleaseth 
him u in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants 
of this earth ;" none can stay his hand, or say unto 
him, What doest thou ? He attributes to himself 
all events : men, and other creatures, are but instru- 
ments. Men's wicked hearts impel them to commit 
evil ; but the events are of the Lord, which he over- 
rules for his own glory, and for the good of his people. 
" Him being delivered hj the foreknowledge and counsel 
of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified 
him." Joseph said, " Ye meant it for evil, but God for 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 289 

good to save much people alive, as at this day." The 
Lord does not often, at the time, give his people reasons 
for afflicting them, though they can often read them at an 
after period. 

Job was a holy man : his afflictions from God's own 
hand were very deep; the teasing unkindness and in- 
justice of his friends made great part of the temptation, 
and he spake unadvisedly with his lips. When God did 
appear, he did not answer his cavils, or give him one 
reason why he had dealt with him thus ; but silenced 
him with views of his majesty, power and wisdom ; and 
of his own meanness and vileness, though correct in his 
conduct beyond most others. I believe he spake truth, 
when he said, " I delivered the poor that cried, the 
fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The 
blessing of him that was ready to perish, came upon me, 
and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I was 
eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. I was a father to 
the poor, and the cause that I knew not, I searched out." 
God allowed the weight of the trial to be upon his spirit, 
with the conviction of his presumption, till he brought 
him to his feet. H Behold, I am vile ; what shall I 
answer thee ? I will lay my hand upon my mouth. I 
abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." These 
things were written for our example and profit. 

This afflictive providence is now finished, at least so 
far. What you now possess is the allotment of your 
God. Set all instruments aside, and listen to the Holy 
Ghost — " Humble yourself under the mighty hand of 
God, and he shall exalt yon in due time." In order to 
this, I would recommend you to take a close retrospective 
view of your past life, with earnest prayer that God 
would search you and try you, and show you what 
wicked ways have been, or now are, in you. Go back 

o 



290 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

to the days of your youth ; take a close view of the use 
you made of affluence and influence, not comparing your- 
self with others ; but judging yourself by the law of God, 
the only standard of right and wrong, truth and error. 
Seek for humbling views of yourself in yourself. If the 
Holy Ghost enlighten, you will find sufficient grounds. 
Seek for consolation in the free promises of God, through 
Jesus Christ, of which there are also abundance, even 
to the chief of sinners. What I recommend to you has 
been my own practice, especially in times of trial. If 
health will admit of it, add fasting, because I think it 
is the Lord's ordinance. u The days shall come when 
the Bridegroom shall be taken from them, then shall they 
fast in those days." 

Read the third chapter of Jeremiah's Lamentations : 
endeavour to come under the feelings of contrition, on 
account of your sins, and derive consolation from faith 
in God's great mercy; ever keeping in view the only 
channel through which mercy can flow to sinners of 
Adam's race. Take also a view of God's dealings with 
his elect nation, in the wilderness ; they had nothing 
but manna, and were punished for murmuring ; while 
at that very time, the nations in Canaan, the Egyptians 
and Assyrians, were living in all manner of luxury. 
What was their whole history but backsliding, threatening 
upon threatening, then chastisement, turning, repenting, 
pardon, reconciliation, and the same round again, every 
chastisement severer than the last ; while worldlings, in 
general, have their day to the end ; " Then," says 
David, " they are cast down suddenly to destruction." 
I wish you to take a particular view of God's dealings 
with them, before Nebuchadnezzar sacked the city of 
Jerusalem. The decree was passed after many warn- 
ings, and much long-suffering. How many pauses as 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 291 

it were, did the merciful Lord God make before he 
gave them finally up to their enemies ; and when the 
decree was irrevocable, and the chastisement to take 
place, still he followed them with mercy. See Jere- 
miah, xxvii. 12., and chap. xxix. ; the letter which God 
commanded Jeremiah to write to those who had been 
carried away captive with Jehoiakim, advising them to 
build houses and plant vineyards, and to make the 
most of their situation. Those at Jerusalem were com- 
manded to submit to the King of Babylon, as in that 
case he would not destroy the city; but no, they 
stood it out, and the threatened vengeance overtook 
them. 

The poor were left to take care of the vineyards ; 
Jeremiah remained with them in preference to going 
with the King of Babylon to be promoted to honour. 
God offered to take them under his protection, and be 
their God : but no, they would go to Egypt, and put 
themselves under the King of Egypt's protection. Je- 
remiah told them from the Lord, that Egypt itself 
should soon go into captivity. But to Egypt they 
went, and carried Jeremiah with them. See Isaiah's 
prophecy on this occasion, chap. xxxv. 31. Now look 
at chap. lxii. ; there you see God's judgment and 
chastening ; follow him in the beginning of chapter 
lxiii. and view his mercy ; in the end of the same 
chapter, again see his charge against them ; yet it is 
followed with mercy, not judgment. Thus we learn the 
character of God. Thus we learn his dealings with his 
people. They are not called to earthly comfort and 
prosperity. They ever have been, and still are, a suf- 
fering people: they are all sinners — sin brings suffer- 
ings, and God overrules suffering, so as to make if 
profitable to them. Though redeemed by the life and 

o 2 



292 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

death of Christ, " being justified by faith, they hare 
peace with God ;" yet the Lord has not pleased all at 
once to qualify them for the purchased possession. They 
receive a new birth, a new life, and are called to work 
out their own salvation with fear and trembling, with 
this consolation, that God worketh in them both to 
will, and to do, of his good pleasure. This is not their 
home, here they have no continuing city; they are 
travelling through the wilderness, to the city and raan- 
aions purchased and prepared for them by their Saviour, 
and must be made holy before they can enter. They 
ftave many corruptions to be mortified, and many errors, 
m their estimation of men and things to be corrected. 
Their hearts require to be made more spiritual, humble, 
tender, resigned, and grateful. "Then shalt thou re- 
member all the way by which I led thee ; to prove thee, 
and try thee ; to show thee what was in thy heart, that 
I might do thee good in thy latter end." Besides, all 
suffering is not the immediate punishment of sin in the 
individual sufferer, nor for his exclusive profit : it is 
evident from Scripture, that suffering takes place for 
the benefit of the body of Christ — " his Church ;" of 
which (I think) all have some share. God has wise 
ends to answer by all the suffering of his creatures, and 
especially of the members of his body. The apostles 
rejoiced in this, and so ought we. " If we suffer with 
him, we shall also reign with him." Paul says, " I fill up, 
in my flesh, that which is behind of the sufferings of 
Christ, for his body's sake, which is the church." Now, 
my dear friend, let us take a look at your real indivi- 
dual situation, as a suffering member of a suffering 
body. Take a view of the saints of God in history, 
sacred or profane ; compare your own individual suffer- 
ing with theirs : I am apt to think that, great as it is, 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 293 

it will not rise to mediocrity. I could expatiate on this 
subject, from what comes every day within my own 
knowledge. The Lord is working in this way all 
around me; but of that another time. In your own 
case, try for a moment to shut out of view, every thing 
without your own family ; what you once were, what 
you once possessed and enjoyed ; also, what your 
friends possess and enjoy at this present time ; detach 
yourself from all. What was yours is gone ; what 
you calculated upon, is also gone ; set all aside, and 
consider yourself a sinner, saved from destruction by 
grace : in a state of purgation and preparation for hap- 
piness, on a pilgrimage with thousands of others, your 
fellow- saved sinners through the wilderness, to that in- 
heritance which was purchased for you at " such a price/' 
Your Saviour is your Leader, Protector, Provider, also 
your Physician, and the Physician of the whole body, 
perfectly acquainted with the constitution, disposition 
and temper of every individual. He has made provi- 
sion for each, all the journey through ; and given 
security that none shall suffer real want. Bread and 
water are promised ; nothing beyond these, though, in 
general, he gives more : to each he gives a portion in 
hand, to some for a day, some for a week, some for a 
year ; which they calculate upon with more or less pro- 
bability ; none with certainty. Your portion is — for a 
year ; take a view of those whom you know, one with 
another; I am apt to think that the Lord has still 
given you your full share of privilege. Look at the 
ordinary provision he makes for the ministers of his 
Gospel ; most of them with large families ; many of 
those in the country have five hundred dollars, some 
four hundred, some three hundred, generally ill paid. 
The Lord puts a blessing in it, he makes it go far, 

o 3 



294 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

they do what their hands find to do, and contrive to 
subsist with a measure of comfort ; so will he do with 
you. He will put you upon methods of industry and 
economy : your humble morsel, with the fruit of God's 
blessing on your industry in the garden, shall both 
taste sweet, and satisfy for the time. Try to be thank- 
ful ; Moses said of the manna, " This is the bread which 
the Lord your God giveth you." Pray and watch against 
dwelling on the plentiful tables of others ; and, when 
bidden to a feast, take your portion, and say, This is 
from the Lord for the time. Do not let a thought of 
misery or wretchedness dwell upon your mind. O no, 
God is good, you shall not want. O what sweet meals 
have 1 and my children made on mere potatoes and salt, 
There are peculiar pleasures in a life of that kind. You 
shall yet sing of it. 

Now, my dear friend, I have done with what I had 
to say on this head. I have had great fears, lest you 
should reckon me among Job's friends ; but you call 
me mother ; and it is required of a mother to be faithful. 
I now leave it with the Lord. We are delighted to 
find you girding up the loins of your mind, and set- 
ting about active duty. Let us meet at a throne of 
grace, and look to the course the Lord marks out 
for us. 



TO MRS. G- 



MY DEAR MADAM, 

I have just parted with my dear afflicted friend 
P. ; she left it in charge to me that I should write to 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 295 

you in the time of your affliction. Surely, I would do 
any thing whatever, that I thought might alleviate 
either her, or your distress. But there are cases to 
which God alone can speak ; afflictions under which 
he alone can give consolation. Such are those under 
which the sufferer is commanded to be " still, and know 
that he is God." He never leaves his people in any 
case ; but sometimes shuts them up from human aid. 
Their grief is too great to be consoled by human tongue 
or pen. 

Such I have experienced. I lost my only son ; 1 
neither know when, nor where ; and, for any thing I 
know, in a state of rebellion against God. Here, at 
my heart, it lies still ; who can speak to me of it ? 
Neither can I reason upon it. Aaron held his peace. 
Old Eli said, " It is the Lord, Let him do what seemeth 
good in his sight." Samuel, in his turn, had his heart 
wrung by his ungodly sons. David lamented over his 
beloved Absalom ; but it availed him nothing. Job's 
sons and daughters were all cut off in one day ; he 
himself was visited with severe bodily affliction; his 
friends sat seven days and seven nights without open- 
ing their mouths, because they saw his affliction was 
very great ; and, if they spake, it was to aggravate it ; 
when God himself spake, he gave him no reason for 
his dealings, but charged him with folly and madness ; 
c; Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty, instruct 
him ? He that reproveth God let him answer it." Then 
he called his attention to his own meanness and imbe- 
cility ; then Job laid his hand upon his mouth, and his 
mouth in the dust, confessed himself vile, and became 
dumb before God ; abhorring himself, and repenting 
in dust and ashes, instead of bringing forward the 
splendid catalogue of virtues enumerated in chapter 

o 4 



296 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

xxix., and complaints in chapter x., which I make not 
the least doubt were true, as far as human virtue can 
reach ; but if God charge " even his angels with folly," 
shall man, corrupt, self- destroyed man, plead merit be- 
fore God ? 

But, my dear friend, I do not find in all God's Bible, 
any thing requiring us to anticipate the final destruc- 
tion of any, for whom we have prayed, pleaded, and 
committed to him ; least of all our offspring, whom he 
has commanded us to train up for him. " Children are 
God's heritage.' ' I do not say that he has given us any 
promise for the obstinately wicked ; but, when cut off 
he only requires us to " be still," to hold our peace. I 
do not think that he takes hope from us. God has set 
limits to our " faith" for others ; our faith must not rest 
in opposition to his threatenings. We must believe 
that " the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all that 
forget God ;" but he has set no bounds to his own 
mercy : in that glorious plan of redemption by which 
he substitutes his own Son, in the room and stead of 
sinners, he has made provision for the chief of sinners ; 
and can now be just and consistent, while he justifies 
the ungodly who believe in Jesus. Short was the time 
between the thief's petition, and the promise of salva- 
tion ; nay, the petition was the earnest of it. The 
same was the case with the jailer ; I think, too, that 
the publican had the earnest in his petition. Now, in- 
stead of labouring to bring my mind to acquiesce in 
the condemnation of my child, on the supposition of 
its being for God's glory, (which I no where find 
required, but from some of your New England divines,) 
I try to be " still," as he has commanded ; not to follow 
my child to the yet invisible world ; but turning my 
eyes to that character which God has revealed of him- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 297 

self — to the plan of redemption — to the sovereignty of 
God in the execution of that plan — to his names of 
grace, " The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, 
slow to anger, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving 
iniquity, and transgression, and sin:" while he adds, 
" and that will by no means clear the guilty," I meet it 
with his own declaration, u He hath made him to be sin 
for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the 
righteousness of God in him." I read also that mercy 
u rejoiceth against judgment," and many other like Scrip- 
tures, which, although I dare not ground a belief of his 
salvation on them, seems to afford one ray of hope after 
another, that God may have made him a monument of 
mercy, to the glory of his grace. Thus God himself 
consoles his own praying people, while man ought to be 
very cautious, if not silent, where the Scriptures are 
silent, as it respects the final state of another, whose 
heart we cannot know, nor what God may have wrought 
in it. God has set bounds to our faith, which can no 
where find solid ground to fix upon, but on his own 
written promise. Yet, as I said above, he has set no 
bounds to his own mercy ; and he has made provision 
for its boundless flow, as far as he shall please to extend 
it, through the atonement and merits of his own Son, 
" who is able to save to the uttermost, all who come unto 
God by him." Now, my dear friend, you have my ideas 
of our situation ; if they be correct. I pray that our com- 
passionate Father may comfort you by them : if other- 
wise, may he pardon what is amiss, and lead you, my 

dear friend P- , and myself, to such consolation as he 

himself will own as the work of his Spirit ; and save us 
from the enemy, and our own spirit. 

Since Avriting the foregoing, I feel afraid of what I , 
have said : it is dangerous to seek comfort where the 

O 5 



298 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

Scriptures are silent ; yet, while we plead with God to be 
preserved from error, and try to be still before him, he 
will save us frcm the subtilty of the serpent, as well as 
from the rage of the lion. 

I am, with love, your sympathizing friend, 

ISABELLA GRAHAM. 



EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS 

WRITTEN TO MR. AND MRS. B , 

While in Britain, for the Benfit of Mrs. B.'s Health, 
in 1801 and 1802. 






March 23, 1801. 
MY DEAR CHILDREN, 

This is mortifying to both, to be anchored half a 
mile from us, and there to lie for hours — but even this, 
trifling as it may appear, has its end to answer in His 
scheme, without whom not a sparrow falls. I have 
retired, with my Bible, to commit you, and all my cares 
and concerns, afresh to that God whose goodness and 
mercy have followed us through life ; who is my God, 
your God, and the God of our seed ; who answered my 
prayers, in the face of all my inconsistent conduct ; took 
you out of my idolatrous management, into his own more 
merciful guidance. He has done all things well, and He 
will perfect his own work. 

Now, may " the Angel that redeemed you, be with you, 
keep you in the hollow of his hand, and as the apple of 
his eye ;" be with you on his own ocean, and command 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 299 

the billows not to touch you ; carry you to the bosom of 
your dear native country, where a large proportion of his 
body live in Him and by Him : bless you, and make you 
a blessing, wherever his providence shall carry you, and 
restore you with blessings to us in his own time. Amen. 



Sabbath, after Morning Service. 

March 29. 

This, my dear children, is a day of storm, wind, and 
rain ; O that the prayer of our dear Pastor, and I hope of 
many present, may be with you, and be answered to and 
for you — it was thus expressed : — 

4 Lord, be with that family, who, now, on the mighty 
ocean, desire an interest in our prayers. May He whom 
winds and waves obey, preserve them in this tempestuous 
season ; may they see, and improve his wonders in the 
great deep ; may the blessings of the everlasting Gospel 
preserve their souls in peace : conduct them in safety to 
their destined port, and restore them to us, enriched with 
the blessings of thy well-ordered covenant.' 

I sent two notes for the Dutch churches, enclosed to 
Mr. B., one for Wall- street, to Mr. A., and one for the 
Brick Church, to Mr. M. I watered all with my tears. 

Five o'clock. 
Oh ! how it blows and rains ! O my children, how 
my poor heart aches for you ; if not in danger, yet sick, 
and in much discomfort : I gave a note in the old 
church, in the afternoon, supposing the congregation, 
on this dreadful day, to be different. Mr. M. prayed : 
4 The Angel of thy presence be with them, give them 
much of the consolations of thy Spirit.. Conduct them 

6 



300 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

in safety to the place of their destination, and restore 
them, enriched with thy blessing, to worship with us 
again, in this thy house of prayer.' I write on this day, 
merely to record, for your perusal, the prayers of your 
Church. I think you ought, if the Lord conduct you 
safe, to propose public thanks to that God, who heard 
and answered ; if agreeable to Mr. M. Write me how 
it was with you on this day. Now I will go to a throne 
of grace for you, and all of us. O keep close to the 
Lord : may he save you from a dissipated, trifling, 
carnal spirit ; may he sanctify all your comforts, and 
give you a just estimation of all you see and hear ; may 
the Christian's portion rise more and more ; and the 
world and its vanities sink in your view. 



April 4. 

A vessel which sails for London to-morrow, will, 1 
hope, convey this to you, if the Lord spare you to be 
there ; I cannot help being very anxious since that storm ; 
by the arrival of several vessels in twenty- four and 
twenty-three days, we find the winds have been all 
easterly and strong ; all contrary to you ; but they are 
God's winds, and I hope his presence will make all up, 
and cause you to profit by all his providences. 

Mr. W. W — lost, this week, three sons, which makes 
four in all, of the scarlet fever, and sore throat — all 
very suddenly ; one in twenty- four hours ; he has two 
of six left : what can we say to these things ? The 
Lord does what pleases him in the armies of heaven, 
and among the inhabitants of the earth. Blessed are 
they to whom all things shall work together for good. 
It is my great consolation, that you are, through grace, 
among that happy number, and in no possible way can 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 301 

be a loser at his hand ; death itself will be your gain. 
The Society met here last Monday, where you were 
again, in the prayer of faith, brought to a throne of 
grace. 

I am, with love, your Mother. 



April 10. 
What the Lord is going to do with his, and my, 
children, I know not ; but the Samuel Elam has returned 
to port, with a leak, after being out nineteen days. On 
the day of storm, she had seven feet water in her hold. 
I hope that the Lord, in mercy to you, to his church, 
and to me, his unworthy servant, has guided you in 
safety, and that the prayers of his church were an- 
swered in your behalf. O my children, what would be 
the situation of my heart, had I not confidence of 
your being within the ark ! I desire to rejoice over all 
my fears, for this unspeakable consolation : nothing- 
can hurt you. I experience for you, what I did in my 
own case, when darkness and tempest added to the 
horrors of many, while our vessel kept dashing on the 
rock* ; I, too, expected her to go to pieces every 
moment ; but the idea was ever with me, " In the bosom 
of God's ocean, I shall find the bosom of my Saviour." 
On the night of the 29th of March, I dreamt my dear 
J — y fell overboard, and I saw her floating on the 
billows, supporting herself by her little chair: this is the 
state of my mind ; yet I am thankful, and enjoy much 
peace. The Lord has given me all I asked — the salvation 
of your souls. In a little time we shall all be gathered 
around his throne. Well may I leave to him all inter- 

* On the coast of Ayr, as stated in her Life. 



302 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

vening circumstances, as well as who goes first and 
how. O how he blesses my latter end, how he soothes 
and comforts my old age ! Far other things have I 
merited, that my soul knows ; but he has not only 
pardoned, but comforts, and draws a veil over my trans- 
gressions, covering them from the world's observation. 
What can I say ? He is God, and mercy is his darling 
attribute. 



April 17, 1801. 

I wrote, my dear children, by the Draper, by the 
British Packet, and by I know not whom ; but this is the 
fourth. I will now begin to number my letters ; for I 
prepare them to go by the first opportunity, without being 
able to know, at the time of writing, which will be the 
first. 

The weather has been tremendous. It is not my 
anxiety that makes the observation. Others allow it, and 
the winds are all easterly. Were not my God your God, 
did I not know and believe that all his providences shall 
be overruled for your true interest, did I not enter more 
into your eternal state, than your temporal, I should be 
very miserable. 

I have brought the reality near me, that mine eyes 
may never behold you again on earth. I can say, even 
of that, " It is well;" but the idea of the horrors of a 
tempest, a leaky vessel, racked by the storm, and sinking 
by inches ; sickness, nervous timidity, and the sufferings 
to be undergone, before the entrance to the haven of rest 
be attained, is my chief disquietment, I will not say 
distress ; because, when these horrors (horrors they are 
to mere nature) dart across my mind, filling my soul 
with momentary anguish, Satan too, seeking to distract 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 303 

my mind, the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard 
against him, and comforts me with his own word, the 
everlasting promises suited to every possible circum- 
stance in the believer's lot. Thousands of times have 
I grasped that promise, M Leave thy fatherless children 
on me, I will preserve them alive." I pleaded it for the 
life of their souls ; he answered my prayers ; he has given 
them life, and they live to him. Yes, I see the fruit ; 
and though iniquities still prevail against them, he still 
purges away their transgressions ; kindles their repent- 
ance ; humbles their souls ; lays them prostrate in peni- 
tential confession ; washes them afresh in the open 
fountain ; restores to them the joys of his salvation ; seals 
their pardon by shedding abroad his love in their hearts, 
and making them " walk in the path of righteousness for 
his own name's sake." 

Thus he carries them on " from strength to strength" 
by various means of his own appointing, and some 
terrible things in righteousness, in the course of his 
providence ; in all which he is sovereign, but ever con- 
sistent with his new covenant name, as proclaimed to 
Moses on the mount : as manifested in the character of 
God, dwelling with us in our own nature, in whom 
mercy shone prominent, his darling attribute; by which 
mercy, " They shall appear in Zion, before God," in due 
time. 

Is it so ? Is this God my God, and the God of my 
seed ? Is he himself become our salvation ? Are we 
heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ ? Is our life hid 
with Christ in God? When he appears, shall we (I and 
the children which he hath given me) in very deed, 
appear with him in glory ? Is all this so ? Shall I believe 
it ! Yet I tremble at the approach of any of his pro- 
vidences. Shall I not say, when it has taken place, The 



304 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

will of the Lord be done, especially when clothed with 
love ; I trust that, as my day, so shall my strength be 
and in the interim, I have the same confidence for you- 
'* For he giveth power to the faint, and to them that have 
no might he increaseth strength." 



April 25, 1301. 

MY DEAR CHILDREN, 

The storms and tempests that have almost un- 
remittingly succeeded each other, ever since you left 
us, have kept my mind in constant exercise about you ; 
the wind roars and howls in my windows, though not 
facing the storm; and the white waves in the river 
picture, in my mind, the foaming billows of the ocean- 
The name of our God is my consolation ; though the 
waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake 
with the swelling thereof, there is a river, the streams 
whereof shall make glad the city of God. God shall help 
her, and that right early. When I walk about Zion, 
and go round about her, when I tell the towers thereof, 
mark her bulwarks, and consider her palaces," my heart 
rejoices, that " this God is our God ; he will be our guide 
even nnto death ;" and O the joy, that my children are 
the citizens of this Zion, and the heirs of all the pro- 
mises by virtue of the New Testament in Christ's blood ! 
A covenant of works it was to our Surety, and his 
heart's blood finished the requisites of it. It is now a 
Testament to you, sealed by the same blood. Wherever 
in his word I meet the character, the providence, 
the work of God, I read my own and my children's 
interest. I hope your experience will be in Psalm 
cvii. 28. If not wholly, it shall terminate in Psalm 
xxiii. 4. Though you " walk through the valley of the 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. S05 

shadow of death, you shall fear no evil ;" for this God, 
who is your Guide, even unto death, shall be with you ; 
" his rod and staff shall comfort you ;" and our darling 
J — y, he shall carry as a lamb in his arms, and hide 
her from the horrors, in his bosom. I dwell much on 
these subjects, and I feel comforted, whatever be the 
event. 

If the Lord has carried you safely through, and you 
live to read this in the body, know that our God con- 
tinues to bless us abundantly, in health, peace, and 
plenty, as to temporals ; we also experience the peace 
of his covenant, and have tastes of the bread and of the 
water of life. Thanks, all thanks, to our new covenant 
Head, for the stability of the covenant ; we change, 
but he changes not. He himself is the covenant given 
to the people, and because he lives, his people shall 
live also, in spite of Satan, and his colleague sin, in our 
heart ; sin may, and does, bring his people into cap- 
tivity, but it shall not keep them in bondage for ever. 
The time of deliverance " shall come, when they shall 
revive as the corn," &c. Is it not a well-ordered covenant, 
and sure ? 



May 10, 1S01. 

MY DEAR CHILDREN, 

Last evening was preparation sermon! Mr. 

Y preached a very excellent sermon from the Song 

of Solomon, " Who is this that cometh up from the wil- 
derness, leaning on her beloved ?" He considered first, 
the wilderness of this world ; next the church coming 
up ; then the attitude leaning, and on whom. I thought 
the simile well supported, and practical, as he went 
on. His application was rich on the Christian's sup- 



306 LITE AND WRITINGS OF 

port, where he brought into view many of the names of 
Christ. 

After sermon we witnessed a most affecting scene ; 
two female members rebuked, and restored to the com- 
munion of the church. Never, never, did our dear Mr. 

M shine so bright in my eyes ; many tears were 

shed. I knew nothing of it, and wondered to what he 
was leading, when he addressed the congregation after 
sermon, upon Christian walk, watchfulness, and tempta- 
tion, and the distress occasioned in Christian society, 
when any of the members were left to fall into open 
and aggravated sin. Such was the case in our own 
congregation ; two (naming the offenders) had been so 
far left ; but, while deeply wounded by the sin and 
scandal, he was consoled by their penitence ; he as- 
sured the congregation that they had given great evi- 
dence of deep contrition, and were now come forward 
to acknowledge their crime before their offended and 
grieved brethren, and to give all the satisfaction in 
their power, by submitting to the censure of the church 
in this public manner, which, although painful to him, 
he must pronounce according to God's appointment. 
" Them who sin before all, rebuke before all." He then 
made them stand up ; scarcely an individual turned to 
look; many were weeping while he laid before them 
their guilt in strong, yet tender, terms ; and finished 
by expressing his approbation of their thus submitting 
to the rod : pronounced their absolution, and gave them 
an exhortation to humility, and redoubled watchful- 
ness. Then, again, he addressed the members, re- 
questing them to receive into their Christian love and 
affection their repenting, returning sisters ; that they 
would treat them with tenderness, and restore them in 
the spirit of meekness, considering themselves as also 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 307 

in the body, and subject to temptation. i Let no one 
put them in remembrance of the sin which the Father 
of mercies has blotted out, nor open those wounds which 
he has closed. " He doth not chide continually, nor re- 
tain his anger for ever." ' But I can do no justice to the 
melting tenderness of his address. Afterwards, the young- 
est brought her babe to the font of baptism ; and here, 
and in prayer, Mr. M — was very particular. She ap- 
peared to be weeping all the time. 

May the Lord bless the discipline of his church ; 
may he meet us to-morrow with multiplied pardons ; 
may he melt our hearts to contrition, heal our back- 
slidings, and manifest himself as married unto us ; may 
he bring us into his banqueting- house ! may his banner 
over us be love : may his grace be magnified, and his 
name glorified : and may he send a portion to my dear 
children — yea, " a Benjamin's portion ;" may he open wide 
the leaves of that New Testament, and let them read 
their rich inheritance, and rejoice in their portion. 

Two days more will fill up seven weeks since you sailed; 
but, from every account of the winds, you have not reached 
port, at least a port on earth. 

Farewell, my dear children. The Lord bless you, keep 
you, guide you, and cause his face to shine on you ; so 
prays your affectionate mother. 



May 21, 1801. 
I would fain begin to hope that my dear children 
are now on or near the green fields of Albion. Many 
a severe gale has agitated them, and tried their faith 
and confidence, before this day. But as He who sitteth 
on the clouds, commanding and governing the ele- 
ments, is their own God in covenant, who loves them, 



308 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

cares for them, and perfects what concerns them ; I 
hope that they have had much of his presence; and 
have found, even on the boisterous ocean, amidst the 
horrors of the swelling deep, agitated with winds and 
tempests, all things necessary to life and godliness in 
these great and precious promises, accompanied by 
divine power, by which they are made partakers of 
divine life, and escape the pollution that is in the world 
through lust. I hope that they are enriched in ex- 
perience, and advanced in the divine life, by all they have 
suffered, and all they have tasted of divine support in 
their sufferings ; that Christ is still more precious, his 
word more tried, and their confidence in him more 
established ; if so, great is their gain. And our darling 
J., being a sharer in the suffering, shall, at her God's 
hand, be also a gainer, though it be not evident to our 
perception. O how rich is the Christian! How inex- 
haustible his portion ! His table is ever furnished, his 
cup ever full ; all is blessing, no curse mingled ; that 
our Surety took to himself: prosperity and adversity, 
sickness and health, light and darkness, all, all shall 
bless us, work for our good, turn to our profit, and end 
in the glory of God, and our unspeakable, inconceivable 
happiness. 

I have been here a week yesterday ; all vegetable na- 
ture glows and shines in the perfection of beauty ; flowers, 
shrubs, trees, grain, grass, falling waters turning the 
busy mill, the brook murmuring on its way to the ocean, 
fit emblem of eternity; all glorify their Creator; and, 
although no such birds as in Britain charm the listening 
ear, we have some sweet chirpers of his praise : and what 
is wanting to the ear, is made up to the eye, for in beauty 
they excel. 

These I may enjoy ; with these hold communion ; 



MRS. ISABELLA. GRAHAM. 309 

for, spiritual death holds all within these walls in dismal 
bondage ; not one symptom of life appears, but death as 
the dry bones in the valley of vision. Why do I not 
wrestle more for the Spirit to breathe on them ! I do 
pray ; but oh ! how formally ! 



June 17, 1801. 
MY DEAR CHILDREN, 

Difficult it is for me to exercise patience; ; 
the 23d of this month will make three months since 
you waved the handkerchief on board the Mars, off the 
Battery. I had made up my mind not to give way to 
expectation, short of three months ; they are nearly 
past ; how many events take place in that space of 
time ! How many duties ought to be performed ! How 
many sins are really committed ! How guilty to wish 
to annihilate the time, that a certain event may come 
round! For every moment of time we must account, 
and not one moment of it can we recall. Much you 
have seen ; much you have suffered ; much, perhaps, 
also enjoyed ; for the Lord can give songs in the night, 
and in a dungeon. " Surely, his salvation is near to 
them that fear him" — to them there is no want. The 
Lord is their Shepherd ; he feedeth them in green pas- 
tures, beside the gently- flowing waters ; if they wan- 
der, he restore th them, perhaps with the rod, but it is 
the rod of love ; they need not be afraid to enter even 
the valley of the shadow of death ; their Shepherd is 
with them, and his rod (rod of support) and staff shall 
comfort them. I hope that this has been a profitable 
time to you both ; that you have seen more of the evil 
of sin, and of your own hearts, their deceitful, double 
turnings and windings, to cover and conceal the enemy 



310 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

of God and your own souls: more of the extent 
and spirituality of the divine law, fulfilled in every jot 
and tittle by your Surety ; but still doubly binding on 
you as a rule of life, in the hand of your Redeemer, 
who hath bought you to himself, and taken you into 
his own hands, that you might be a holy people to 
himself, delivered not merely from the penalty and 
curse, but from the power and in-dwelling of sin. I 
hope that you have seen more of the unsearchable 
riches of Christ in all he has done, and is now doing 
for your, and his church's, happiness ; and of those ex- 
ceeding great and precious promises by which you are 
made partakers of the divine life, and privileged to 
escape the pollution that is in the world through lust ; 
more of the faithfulness of God, as a God in Christ, 
pardoning sin, and reconciling you to himself: and, 
day by day, teaching you by his Word, Spirit, and 
providences. I am but just beginning to see that I 
am blind ; my own character, opening upon me as a 
sinner in heart, tongue, and conduct against my God, 
my neighbour, and my own soul. How comes it, then, 
that I am not at ease in God's world ; in health, in peace, 
and comfort, and all in an extraordinary degree, as to 
temporals ; and, as to spirituals though grieved with 
self, my joy in Christ also abounds. Can I believe it? 
What can I say ? What can I render to the Lord for all 
his gifts to me ? Nothing can I do, but just take the 
cup of salvation, calling upon the name of the Lord, 
and remain an eternal debtor to his grace for every 
thing. 

There is great news from Tennessee, of a remarkable 
concern there ; there is a camp half a mile in length, 
where people have gathered with their families, and 
provision in waggons, to hear the word of life : minis- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 311 

ters have also assembled from all quarters, and of dif- 
ferent denominations. One of the missionaries, be- 
longing to the General Assembly, writes this, and that 
the number of ministers had increased from one to nine- 
teen ; that, when he passed, they had begun upon the 
Sabbath, and continued, without separating, night and 
day, until Tuesday ; but say little of this until I write 
again. There is another of less importance, or rather 
less conspicuous, at Bloomfield, New Jersey : O pray the 
Lord of the harvest to thrust out labourers. 



June 26, 1801. 
MY DEAR CHILDREN, 

I now begin to be very anxious ; friends tell 
me that considering the quick passages of vessels 
coming hither, while you were going, I ought not to 
look for letters so soon : it may be so, but still my 
mind works. However, by this time the Lord's will is 
done ; you are already in port, on earth, or in heaven. 
Blessed alternative! Ought I to be sad, who can say, 
or in heaven ? Oh no, I trust grace will be given to ac- 
quiesce in his most blessed will, a most gracious will it 
has been to me and mine. 

I wrote you in my last, that our dear Mr. M 

leaves us next month for Britain ; his errand is to state 
the situation of this country, as greatly in want of mi- 
nisters, and the means of educating ministers. Many 
of his people are dissatisfied, as he has two congrega- 
tions to supply, and a large family of his own. Why 
should he be the man ? For my own part I think he 
is the very man ; and I am thankful to feel a degree of 
disinterestedness. Though I love my minister, value 
his ministry and his person, I hope the general interest 



312 . LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

of Christ's body is more dear to me, and of infinitely 
more importance than my private comfort, which, after 
all, I do not believe can suffer, by parting cheerfully 
with its apparent food to Christ, who himself is the 
Sum and Substance of all that any minister can be in- 
strumental in conveying. All means are alike to him, 
or no means. I therefore rejoice in his will, and pray 
that the Lord may prosper him, give him " a double por- 
tion of his Spirit," and favour in the eyes of all whose 
influence is necessary to advance the Redeemer's king- 
dom in America. 

Our friend, Mrs. K — , is gone; she died suddenly: 
both Mr. and Mrs. T — died at their country-seat : he 
first — she fancied she was getting better. The physi- 
cian advised her not to ride, as she could not stand the 
fatigue; she had more faith in air and exercise ; the 
last day she went out, she fainted, getting into the car- 
riage, and again coming out : and died in the afternoon. 
She lived near us, yet I never saw her, nor offered one 
kind office towards the salvation of her soul, which, if 
lost, leaves me not innocent of her blood, and, if saved, 
as I hope it may be, my sinful neglect is not the less. 
What a picture in them of the vanity of all under the 
sun ; and in me, of the evil of procrastination ! I meant 
to visit her. O my Saviour, is this the return I make 
for the millions of pardons which thou hast past on my 
account : sparing even the rod, and blessing me with 
health, restored limbs, and mercy on mercy, comfort 
on comfort ! I want words to paint my abominable in- 
gratitude, indolence and cruelty : and yet, O yet, I 
am spared, and my mercies are spared, as far as I know 
— but trial may be at hand. Perhaps I write what my 
children may never read. Well, even then, mercy, 
mercy, shall be my song ; for, if so, I sing the song on 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 313 

earth, which they sing in heaven. I am just going to 
town, to attend preparation sermon. Our feast is on 
Sabbath. 



July 17, 1801. 
What shall I render to the Lord for all his mercies ; 
mercies temporal, mercies spiritual, mercies eternal, 
multiplied mercies ! The one thing that I asked of the 
Lord has been answered in full ; and O, how much 
added ! God himself become my Salvation, and the 
Salvation of my house ; how unspeakable the blessing ! 
Although chastisement and affliction were the means of 
correction and sanctification, or even the vengeance taken 
on my inventions, yet as a God, he at the same time 
pardons. For my character is ever the same with back- 
sliding Judah, and treacherous Israel. Glory to that 
name which is ever the same, and changes not, " The 
Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, 
abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, trans- 
gression, aud sin." This was his name among a stiff- 
necked people, an idolatrous, ungrateful people ; this is 
his name to me, alike in character. O how he has 
magnified this name to me, a backslider in heart and life ; 
multiplying pardons while I have multiplied transgres- 
sions ! Still he has been with me ; healing my back- 
sliding, restoring my soul, leading me to the open 
fountain, giving faith and joy and peace in believing 
not only so, but in this land of drought, this vast howling 
wilderness, this vale of tears, " where man is born to 
trouble as the sparks fly upwards," my cup is full, and 
running over with temporal comfort. All his creatures 
minister to my comfort ; and as days and nights roll ob, 
his daily providence adds, and diminishes not. 



314 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

I had hardly hoped to see the faces of my children 
again ; for he commanded, and raised the stormy winds, 
and lifted up the waves of the sea ; they mounted to 
heaven, and sunk again to the deep ; death, with all its 
natural horrors, surrounded them : the deep yawned to 
devour them ! but God, their own God, was at hand, their 
Anchor of Hope ; their Ark of Safety ; their Hiding Place, 
till the calamity was past ; " they cried to him, and he 
saved them out of their distresses ; he made the storm a 
calm, and the waves thereof still, and brought them to 
the desired haven. " This trouble was not unto death, but 
for the glory of God, and the exercising of your faith, for 
the manifestation of his power and goodness, and the 
enriching of your experience. 

O then, " let us praise the Lord for his goodness, and 
for his wonderful works to the children of men. Let us 
exalt him in the congregation of his people, and praise 
him in the assembly of the elders. ,, 



MY DEAR CHILDREN, 

Yours of July 3d, from Glasgow, is to me like 
cold water to the thirsty soul. I thank my dear J — , 
that tired and fatigued as she was, she sacrificed her 
necessary rest to the relief of her anxious mother. I 
hope that my God did not allow her to be a sufferer ; 
yet, my dear, two sheets were not necessary to my 
relief, though every line in them was interesting. To 
hear of the attentions of our dear countrymen, must 
be gratifying ; to learn that your health permits you 
to accept of these, more so ; to hear of your attention, 
and that of others, to my lonely sfeter, is soothing. 
But words are wanting, to express the delight of my 
soul, on reading of the Lord's goodness to your soul ; 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 315 

in dispensing to you so liberally the bread and the 
water of life ; yea, feasting you on the dainties of his 
house, along with his choice favourites, giving you to 
see the good of his chosen, and to rejoice in their joy. 
O my dear J — , what hath God done for us in spirituals, 
and in temporals ! His dealings with us have not been 
ordinary. How r stately have been his steps in almost 
all his providences ! I bless my God with my whole 
soul, and all that is within me : I desire to bless him, 
that while he gave you favour with all, he attached 
you most closely to his own, the excellent ones of the 
earth ; to them he conducted you, with them he fed 
you, giving you credit with them, and a name, and a 
place in his house. O Lord, what can thy servant say ? 
Thou art thyself, I AM THAT I AM, is thy name : 
wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and truth, are thine 
essential qualities. But O thy long-suffering, thy patience, 
thine unspeakable mercy, thy pardoning, thy restoring, 
thy healing, thy consoling mercy, is the wonder of 
wonders ! How is the wonder increased when I consider 
the objects of it ! O now, my dear children, let us live 
to his glory : surely mercy is his darling attribute, and 
judgment his strange work ! Eternity will prove too 
short to sing of his mercy ; and who ought to sing as loud 
as we? 



October 23, 1801. 
Surely, surely, my heart feels grateful for the time, 
though this, like every other good motion, will, like the 
morning dew, soon pass away. 

My children have not only been preserved through 
the tempestuous storms that threatened death, with 
circumstances shocking to nature ; but my poor sick 

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316 LIFE AND WRITINGS Otf 

child has borne a long fatiguing journey : that journey 
has been made comfortable, by the warm reception of 
many kind friends, dear to nature, and many doubly 
endeared by grace ; among the last, the mother and 
sisters of the kindest and best of husbands ; they re- 
ceiving her as their own flesh and blood, as well as their 
fellow-member in Christ ; blest with a measure of 
health to enjoy all, and a measure of grace to profit by 
all ; eyeing by faith the dear invisible hand of a covenant 
God — preserving, leading, guiding through every step 
— his love the marrow of the whole, and their charter 
for safety, even amidst the dangers of prosperity. Is 
not godliness gain ; profitable for this life, as well as 
that which is to come ? What is the portion of the 
worldling ! Even in this life, ■ shadowy joy or solid 
wo,' without a balance to the first, or consolation in 
the last : no sure footing in the one, nor support in 
the other ; distant from the fountain of happiness by 
nature, prosperity incrusts their hearts, and increases 
their carnality ; nestling in their worldly comforts, they 
forget that they are the creatures of a day, that eternity 
lies before them, and only the feeble uncertain thread 
of life between them and that curse under which they 
were born. Not so the child of God ; all things work 
together for his good, all things ; his standing is not 
in himself ; his footsteps are directed by Infinite 
Wisdom ; he is kept by the power of God, through 
faith unto salvation. Nothing can separate him from 
the love of God. His life is hid with Christ in God : 
there is cause to rejoice always ; his privileges are 
boundless, infinite ; for God himself is become his 
Salvation. Have we then any cause for fear ? Yes, 
my children, yes ; though nothing can rob us of our 
charter, there is another side to be beheld. In Christ 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 317 

we have all things richly to enjoy, but we have not all 
in possession ; what we have is by faith. All is secured 
by our Surety for eternity ; we shall overcome by the 
blood of the Lamb ; but by the constitution of the 
covenant, we must enter into that rest, that perfect 
rest, through great tribulation. "While our eternal salva- 
tion is secured by our Surety, it hath pleased Infinite 
Wisdom to appoint another connexion, which shall exist 
while we remain in these clay tabernacles ; even the 
connexion between our steadfastness, consequently our 
comfort, and the means of grace which he hath ap- 
pointed ; making the first to depend, in a great measure, 
on our diligent use of the last, insomuch that a great 
number of the promises are proposed conditionally. 
Many exhortations are given in this view, and also 
many threatenings. " They that wait on the Lord, 
shall renew their strength. Seek, and ye shall find : 
ask, and ye shall receive ; knock, and it shall be 
opened unto you. Abide in me ; as the branch cannot 
bear fruit of itself, no more can ye, except ye abide 
in me." Close, intimate, near communion with God, 
is to be sought by means of prayer, meditation, and 
reading. If the Christian be careful to husband time, 
and set apart a portion for God, and set about these 
duties, he will not always miss communion ; and this 
prepares him for other duties, and arms him against 
temptation ; as the promise is concerned to keep him 
in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on him. " If 
ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your 
children, how much more will your heavenly Father give 
his Holy Spirit to them that ask him ! So shall ye know 
the Lord, if ye follow on to know him. Delight thyself 
in God ; he will give thee the desire of thine heart. 
Nevertheless, I will be inquired of by the house of IsraeL 

P 3 



318 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

If his children forsake my laws and go astray, I will 
visit their faults. Watch and pray, that ye enter not 
into temptation. But thou, when thou pray est, enter 
into thy closet ; thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall 
reward thee openly/ ' All is laid before us in the 
Scriptures, in the view of comfort, during our pilgrimage, 
as well as the certainty of our inheritance in the end ; 
the ground whereon we stand, our danger, and the means 
of safety. See Ephesians, vi. 11. There is provision 
made in the covenant for great comfort, consistent with 
human frailty and imperfection, but not with careless- 
ness and negligence. While, therefore, we rejoice in 
the Lord, we have good reason to join trembling with 

(our mirth ; while standing high in comfort, to take 
heed lest we fall, through the deceitfulness of sin. 
We carry about with us " a body of sin and death ; the 
Devil, like a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he 
may devour. We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but 
with principalities and powers." We live in a world 
. lying in wickedness ; the captives of sin and Satan 
exerting every faculty to banish all thoughts of God, 
death, and eternity ; contriving, with unwearied industry, 
and amazing ingenuity, new gratifications for body and 
mind in endless variety, suited to all constitutions, all 
tempers and dispositions, and to those in all circum- 
stances. Of these the most rational are the most subtle, 
and, in the hand of the enemy, the most calculated 
to keep men ignorant of themselves, their misery, and 
the great salvation : and, alas ! by these he often spoils 
unwary Christians, who, though heirs of heaven, heirs 
of God, and joint heirs with Christ, are during their 
minority, subject to like passions with them, and ever 
in danger of being spoiled of their comforts when off 
their guard. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 319 

With the people of the world Christians have much 
to do ; they are fellow-members of society with them ; 
they have many duties to perform to them, with them, 
and by them: many of the things of the world are 
necessary to them, many of its pleasures lawful ; for " the 
earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof," and he gives 
them of it, as his wisdom sees good for them. That 
which he gives them they gather in the same manner as 
with the world — by diligence in their lawful calling. 
Keeping near the Captain of salvation, and armed in his 
whole armour, they are safe. When off their guard, the 
vigilant enemy gains some advantage, and they get into 
trouble. O how many gracious names our dear Re- 
deemer has assumed in his word, for our comfort, our 
meditation, our spiritual exercise! How pleasant and 
delightful, in the light of his countenance, to analyze 
them ! Beside the names peculiar to himself as God. 
—how many has he condescended to take from among 
men, and the natural comforts and safe-guards of men ! 
Our Shepherd, our Rock, our Ark, all| the relations in 
life, and ends with our All in all! But I must have 
done, that I may tell you that goodness and mercy follow 
us in this family also. 



December 7, 1S01. 
I have received my dear J — 's three letters from 
Dingwall : fresh matter of praise to our covenant God. 
You have had your season of affliction ; and now you 
have a season of refreshing, a resting time. The cup 
of the Christian is always more or less mixed. Your 
afflictions have ever been mixed with much mercy, and 
now your season of rest is also mixed. I well know 
that no temporal comfort can compensate the absence 

P 4 



320 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

of your justly beloved D — , nor can any object but 
your God render it supportable. He, however, who is 
the God of both, who goes with him, and stays with 
you, can not only support but comfort you. The 
omniscient, the omnipresent, the omnipotent God, is 
our God, and the God of our house ; all that he is, is 
ours to bless us. " Behold, God is become our salvation/' 
Every endearing name known among men, he takes to 
himself, to inspire us with pleasing confidential love ; 
every name that connects the idea of protection, to 
keep our minds in quiet peace, in the assurance of 
safety — Father, Husband , Brother, Friend, Prophet, 
Priest, King, Physician, Help, Health, Light, Life, 
Counsellor, Guide, Sanctuary, Anchor. But I should 
fill my sheet. 1 said it all at first: God is ours, and 
ours with the knowledge of all our backslidings, which 
he heals ; our wanderings, from which he restores us ; 
and our sins, which he forgives : one of his names is 
the God of pardons. Mercy is his darling attribute, 
that in which he delights. Are we not his witnesses ? 
What has our whole life been, but sin, backslidings, 
and wanderings ? What have his dealings with us been, 
but pardons, healings, restorations ? Therefore, we re- 
main, as at this day, with our desires towards him, and 
our faces Zion-wards. What he hath begun he will 
perfect, and in a little while our eyes shall behold him, 
our hearts shall enjoy him, " we shall be like him, and 
see him as he is." 



December 26, 1801. 
I rejoice over my dear children, and bless our 
gracious God that he has led them a sweet and most 
delightful sojourning among his churches, animating 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 321 

their spirits by their mutual communion : blessing them, 
and, I hope, making them blessings. I pray that the 
Lord may make our dear D. an instrument, among others, 
of spreading his Gospel, building up his church, and 
pulling down the stro ag holds of Satan : and that you 
may be, in your place, a help meet for him, in this, 
as in every thing else. May the Lord choose his path, 
and direct his steps, and yours with him. Women 
were helpers of the apostles and others in Paul's days : 
at the same time, care must ever be taken not to 
obtrude in any respect. I pray that you may be kept 
spiritual and humble : eminence in God's service is 
truly desirable, if the heart be found in a right frame. 
If the Lord open the eyes to behold more of the 
extent and spirituality of his law, the holiness and purity 
of his nature, the evil of sin, and its contrariety to all 
that is in God ; and if he turn the eyes inward to the 
hidden corruptions of the heart, when it is evident to 
the soul that all is of grace, then may eminent services 
be safe. 

" I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes," was 
the exercise of Job, and justly so. Job was eyes to the 
blind, and feet to the lame, a father to the poor, and 
the cause which he knew not, he searched it out : 
when the ear heard him, it blessed him ; when the eye 
saw him, it gave witness to him ; who withheld not the 
poor from his desire, nor caused the eye of the widow 
to fail : the stranger did not lodge in the street, but he 
opened his door unto the traveller: all this was con- 
nected with benevolent feelings. Job could justify 
himself before his fellow-sinners, blind like himself : 
but, when God comes to deal with him, how different 
his views ! Then it was, " Behold I am vile ; what shall 
I answer thee ? I will lay my hand on my mouth, and 

P 5 



322 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

my mouth in the dust." Even with the very best there 
is cause for this exercise, could we see in the same light. 
How deceitful is the human heart ! How unfaithful the 
conscience ! How little do we know of the sins of our 
daily walk ! We are called to watch and pray, that 
we enter not into temptation ; to walk with God in 
close intimate communion ; " whether we eat or drink, 
to do all to his glory ;" to consult him in all the affairs 
of life, narrowly observing his providence, in connexion 
with our circumstances : weighing all in his presence, 
requesting him to determine our wills, and direct our 
steps. We ought not to say, ' We will go into such 
a city,' and do this or that : but, ' If the Lord will. ' 
How inconsistent our conduct with tbes^ rules ! How 
often do rashness, precipitation, and self-will, accompany 
our determinations and movements ! And how often do 
his goodness and wisdom overrule our folly, save us 
from our own pits, and prevent the evil that might be 
expected ! At no time does he deal with us as we 
sin, though sometimes he stands by, and allows us a 
taste of our folly: then we are in trouble: we dig our 
pits, and fall into them ; but we cannot deliver our- 
selves. O what a God ! who, even at such a time, says, 
" Call on me in the time of trouble, I will deliver thee, 
and thou shalt glorify my name ; thou hast destroyed 
thyself, but in me is thy help." Blessed help! Mercy 
to pardon, goodness to restore, wisdom to guide, faith- 
fulness to carry through and perfect what concerns us ; 
overruling our very follies, and causing them to teach 
us to profit! Thir is God's way, according to many 
declarations of himself in his word, and the experience 
of all his redeemed. 

Blessed, then, is the man that trusteth in the Lord ; 
they, truly, are a blessed people whose God Jehovah is. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 323 

February, 1S02. 
MY DEAR, MY BELOVED CHILDREN, 

I trust that the Lord is your Support ; I know 
that you are in trouble ; it cannot be, that opportunities 
have been wanting all this time ; nor can it be, that my 
children have been negligent ; no, no ; I cannot suppose 
it. My children are in trouble ; they could not w r rite 
that they were otherwise, and therefore remain silent, 
until they can write the issue. It is proper, and surely 
the Lord feeds me with comfort. O the comfort of 
knowing that the Almighty God is their own reconciled 
Father by an everlasting Covenant ; Christ the Mediator 
and Surety, their Advocate, Brother, and Friend; the 
Holy Ghost, their Teacher, Guide, and Comforter ! It 
cannot be ill with my dear children, who are also God's 
dear children. My Father, I know it. Thou chastenest 
for their profit. I know not where they are, nor how 
they fare. I know not what to ask for them ; but thou 
art every where present, thine eye is upon them, and 
thou knowest all their wants, and all their burdens, all 
their bereavements, or whatever tries them. O let thy 
sensible preseuce be with them ! Open wide the leaves 
of that New Testament in Christ's blood, and let them 
read their rich legacy, their unsearchable riches in 
Christ ! Give them confidence in thy wisdom and 
goodness, and sweet acquiescence in all thy dealings 
with them. Thou hast spared in mercy, perhaps now 
thou hast taken in mercy : thy tender mercies are over 
all thy works, and a large ingredient in every cup 
thou puttest into the hand of thy children. It is well, 
it is well ! 

Since writing the above, I have received my dear D.'s 
letter, second copy, by the way of London. The Lord 

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324 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

is your God, and the God of your seed. John the 
Baptist leaped in the womb, when the salutation of 
Mary sounded in his mother's ears ; he was then a 
living soul, and an heir of salvation at that moment. If 
your babe was conceived in sin by the first covenant, he 
is an heir of grace by the second. Think it not hard ; 
no, you do not think it hard, that you have conceived 
him in sickness, carried him in sickness, and suffered 
the pangs of birth without the succeeding joy, to make 
you forget your anguish. All this shall be for the 
glory of God, and that is what you seek; believe it 
now, you shall see it soon. I do sympathize ; my fond 
heart had embraced a sweet babe added to the family, 
for one taken. The Lord has taken this also ; it is his 
due ; I shall soon leave the mortal, and join the immortal ; 
five have joined the Head, six remain ; and one I know 
nothing of, more than that I cast him on the Lord, and 
look for mercy. I thank my God that he gave you 
the grace of resignation, and supported you in the 
solitary confinement. Alas ! my child, did you listen 
for the voice of your babe ? O, what a suspense! But 
let me stop — he had reached maturity ere that time ; 
without the fight, he obtained the victory ; he is of 
" the travail of the Redeemer's soul ; children are God's 
heritage, the fruit of the womb his reward." Rest then 
in the Lord ; this is to his glory, both without and within 
your soul. 



May 26, 1802. 
MY DEAR CHILDREN, 

Here am I in my little room, surrounded with 
every comfort, and as the provision of my God, I value 
all: but there lies my chief, my Bible^ the Testament 



MBS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 325 

of ray dying, risen, ascended, reigning Saviour, bequeath- 
ing to me eternal life, executed in full, and made as 
sure as the promise and oath of God can make it. My 
mind feels also the influences of the Holy Ghost taking 
of the things of Christ, and showing them unto me ; 
opening wide the leaves of that New Testament in 
which I read unsearchable riches, and my title to them 
sure ; yes, sure ; sure, even to me, a base idolatrous 
Gentile ; a rebel against the eternal King, my Creator, 
Preserver, Provider; a backslider in heart and in life. 
What has such a one to do with a holy God? He 
hath said, " Only return ;" and he himself hath turned 
me, chastened, convinced, restored, and comforted me. 
" His waj r s are not as our ways, nor his thoughts as 
our thoughts ; but, as the heavens are above the earth, 
so are his ways above our ways, and his thoughts high 
above our thoughts," and his plans above our conception. 
For, although it is for ever true, that " he is of purer 
eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on iniquity ;'> 
that his law has denounced a curse upon the transgressor 
who keepeth it not in every jot and tittle ; it is for ever 
true, that this God is unchangeable in his nature and 
purposes. What he hath said, that will he do. It is 
for ever true, that I am all that I have said, and worse, 
a sinner in heart, tongue, practice. Yet am I a beloved 
child, a justified one, an heir of God. Here is the 
testament, here is my charter with the seal of God upon 
it — Jesus, thou art the Secret of the Lord ; thou art the 
Lion of the tribe of Judah; the Root and Offspring of 
David : Thou hast prevailed to open this book of secrets, 
to loose the seven seals, and lay open its mysteries ; 
thou Lamb of God, appointed to the great work! In 
our room, and in our nature, thou hast sustained the 
curse. Thou hast obeyed the law ; thou hast drunk 



S26 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

the last drop of the last vial of that wrath which would 
have sunk my soul in the endless depths of misery : 
and I never could have expended one drop, but must 
have sunk deeper and deeper under it. Not unto me, 
not unto ministers, not unto any creature, be the 
praise. As for me, I am, in a word, all that is vile in 
myself; ministers, providences, afflictions, are just what 
God makes them: without his blessing they will not 
only pass without profiting, but Satan and corruption 
will make them ministers to themselves. Worthy is the 
Lamb that was slain ; for he has redeemed me with his 
blood. Worthy is the Lamb to receive power, and 
riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory » 
and blessing. To him, to him alone, be the praise; 
who, of an heir of hell, hath made an heir of heaven, 
by a substitutional righteousness wrought out in his own 
person : mine by free gift, unshackled with the shadow 
of a condition in which I am completely justified. To 
this work let nothing be added, with this work let nothing 
be mixed. 

There is another work going on by the same Spirit 
of truth ; also his purchase and gift — Sanctification. 
In this I am called to occupy, watch, strive, fight. 
Life is given ; means of support and growth provided ; 
weapons of warfare — all things necessary to life and 
godliness: these are promised to the diligent use of 
means ; and poverty, stagnation, discomfort, threatened 
to the indolent. O how sovereign and gracious has my 
God been in his dealings with me in this respect also ! 
I was a sluggard in the days of youth, and the prime 
of life ; yet to me hath he given the comforts promised 
only to the diligent. Here I sit, on the verge of three- 
score ; my heart in some good measure loosened from 
the world, although in full possession of it. Health, 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 327 

ease, plenty, elegance, friendship, respectability ; old age 
welcome, death unstung, become a familiar friend ; the 
messenger of my Father, to fetch me home to those 
mansions which my Redeemer has taken possession of iii 
my name. My hope is strong for my offspring, now my 
only care. I leave my fatherless children on the Lord ; 
he has promised to save them alive. Stately have been 
his steps of mercy towards them already, and he saved 
them from their mother's snares ; he heard and answered 
my prayers, for his name's sake, and overruled my 
practices ; he is my God, and the God of my seed, the 
God of my seed's seed, to the latest generation ; my 
cup is full of comfort, temporal and spiritual. O praise 
him, praise him, for he is your God, and the God of 
your seed also. 



June, 4, 1802. 

This is his Majesty's birth day ; you have, no doubt, 
been drinking his health, and are, at this moment, per- 
haps, set in some social company, by invitation, to 
honour the anniversary, to repeat the wish of long life, 
health and comfort, to the lawful sovereign of Britain. 

Here I sit in my dear little room, with a lovely land- 
scape in view ; B — M.'s park in velvet verdure ; the full 
grown trees scattered thin, to display the carpet, and in 
full foliage ; the clump of willows weeping to the very 
ground with a gentle wave, agitated by the zephyr; 
while the other trees keep their firm majestic posture : the 
Hudson river covered with vessels crowded with sail, to 
catch the scanty breeze ; some sweet little chirpers re- 
galing the ear with its share of pleasure. I think I 
never heard any little warblers in this land, sing so sweet 
as those which now salute my ear ! 



328 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

1 These are thy glorious works. Parent of good !* 

Can all the philosophic ingenuity of London, this even- 
ing, produce such a scene ? The gardens, no doubt, 
will be glorious ; but the ground-work is also God's : 
but why say I that in particular ? All is his ; the very 
notes that warble through so many guilty throats, are 
his creation; all the arts of man cannot add to their 
number. Sweet birds, your notes are innocent. O how 
sweet ! Lovely trees, ye who stand erect, and ye who 
weep and wave: I wish no brighter scene. The 
shadows lengthen fast, so do yours and mine, my 
Sovereign*: a few, a very few anniversaries, and we 
must change the scene ; change to . where no courtiers 
flatter ; no false meteors blaze ; where shadows flee away, 
realities appear, and nothing but realities will stand in 
any stead. 

O may we meet ! for me, I nothing have, I nothing 
am. But one there is, who was, and is, all that the 
mind of saint or angel can conceive of glory and of 
happiness ; and he is mine, and I am most blessed. 
Lengthen on, ye shadows, until all is shadow on these 
orbs of flesh. Then, O then, — 

* My captive soul set free 
From cloggish earth, which oft has made me sigh, 
Ascends the eternal hills, as^seen to see, 
As known to know, and grasp the Deity/ 



1802. 
Our friend B — has now proved how far it is safe to 
leave the fate of eternity unsettled. He is gone to the 
state of the dead ; with whom is soul is gathered. He 

* Mrs. Graham received a pension, as a British officer's widow, 
until her death. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 329 

only knows, whose mercy none ought to limit: he is 
gone to his own place ; if without a surety-righteous- 
ness, which he sought not after in health, we know where 
that place is ; but after reading of a thief on the cross, 
nothing with God is impossible. My mind is much im- 
pressed, that sentence rings in my ears, so often repeated 
-'lam determined to do all the good I can, and leave 
the rest to God. I have no time to search/ One thing 
is needful. 

1 Life 's a folly, age a dream, 
Borne along the common stream ; 
Earth 's a bubble light as air, 
If my rest be centred there : 
How can that be solid joy, 
Which a moment may destroy V 

Mr. B — was seized with the fever in its most malig- 
nant form ; for him every genius was exerted ; and the 
medical store ransacked for the healing balsam ; but in 
vain. The Judge calls for the soul, and the body must, 
at his command, dislodge his tenant ; how awful, if no 
Surety was at hand, if he must stand naked — we know 
the rest ; did I say, We know ? Far otherwise ; what can 
we know of that wrath which in the garden of Gethsemane, 
when no murderous hand was near, no High Priest, no 
Council, no Cross, wrung the blood through every pore of 
the pure, the innocent Lamb of God, supported by 
Godhead ? " If such things were done in the green tree, 
what shall be done in the dry ?" 



TO THE SAME, Itf NEW-YORK. 

Boston, August, 1800. 
I yesterday received my dear J — 's letter, which 



330 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

gives fresh cause for thankfulness. The more my 
absence is lengthened, the less I am able to support the 
want of intelligence. Let us bless God together for all 
his mercies ; among those which are temporal, health 
is the chief; and I believe to most mothers it is more 
valued in their children than in their own persons. I 
rejoice with you over our restored J — y. O that our 
covenant God may give the more important blessing 
of divine life ! You had need to be importunate for 
this, after the importunity exercised for natural life. 
I thank God also for the alleviation of your own distress, 
for our dear D — 's restoration from complaints, less 
alarming so far as they existed, but which might have 
been the seeds of a serious affliction. I could go on 
enumerating; for causes of thankfulness crowd into 
my mind : but all are swallowed up in the grand mercy, 
the distinguishing mercy of redeeming love to our 
souls; salvation, not only to me, but to my house! 
All words fail here. Read over with me, sing with me, 
in your heart, the 103d Psalm. O my God, dare I 
even sigh in thy presence, under any temporary pain, 
or hurt of body or mind, with such a Father, such a 
Christ, such a Comforter, such a richly-furnished well- 
ordered covenant, such a constitution of Grace and 
Providence, such an " All in all," even all the fulness of 
God ! My God, and the God of my seed, the God of. 
my house ; yea, and the God of my prodigal, who shall 
in heaven, if never on earth, join the song : u To Him that 
loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 
be glory, honour, dominion, power and praise, for ever 
and ever. Amen." Shall a murmur ever pass these lips ; 
shall this unthankful heart indulge even a sigh over any 
object but sin ; shall I shrink from any cross with such 
a crown ? 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 331 

" Father, glorify thy name." 

I have been to church ; the subject, " Be not weary in 
well-doing." Many arguments were adduced for exertion, 
all just ; but the substance of the Gospel was not there. 
O that my friends could hear our shepherd ; he would 
speak of his Master more in unison with their own 
hearts' experience, and views of new covenant provision 
and Gospel motives. Except in the Baptist congrega- 
tions, the Gospel is much mutilated here, and kept out 
of sight, even by the few who are supposed to build 
upon it. It appears to me, only Dr. M — declares 
boldly, according to his views, without keeping back ; he 
is esteemed their only champion ; I love him dearly 
though he uses the word probation, and one or two 
others, which my dear, and first in my heart, as a pas- 
tor, J. M — , likes not. 

Sabbath next brings round your — I will add, my 
Gospel-feast. I will endeavour to meet you to-morrow 
evening, and to have you all on my heart, then and on 
the Sabbath, in that one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 
one Spirit, one God and Father of all, who is above 
all, through all, and in all those that are redeemed by 
Jesus Christ, and sanctified by that one Spirit uniting 
all. What subjects ! I cannot attain to the compre- 
hension ; but I experience their truth, and enjoy the 
comfort of them. 



Belleville, September 2, 1808. 

MY DEAR J — , 

You have indeed had a trying time. If ever 
you needed a friend, it was at such a time. I trust 
that the day is not very distant when you shall be 
blessed with your own dear husband, who will soothe 



332 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

jour pains, and sweeten your cares, and lead you to 
cast them on the Lord, and lean where he himself leans. 
There is a rest prepared for the people of God even 
here, could we only enter in. No affliction for the 
present is joyous, but grievous ; nevertheless, it yields 
the peaceable fruits of righteousness to them who are 
duly exercised by it. Every affliction has a language, 
and ought to produce great searchings of heart, that it 
may not pass without profit. This has a particular 
language to me as well as to you. Your husband's 
long absence drawing to a hopeful end ; the days of 
anxious expectation arrived, when every hour will 
seem a day, and " hope deferred maketh the heart sick." 
If ever a mother could be of use, it must be in the time 
of severe illness ; yet is she absent from you in provi- 
dence. You have, however, a " Friend that sticketh 
closer than a brother:" though "father and mother" might 
" forsake you, the Lord will take you up." That Friend is 
ever near: no circumstances embarrass him, or pre- 
vent his attentions ; his eye is on you every moment — 
he knows and feels every pang. There is a need-be 
at times, that we be in heaviness, through manifold 
temptations ; but the Lord knows how to work with 
us and them. O for the steady, abiding belief of this 
in my own soul! Much I need the consolation which 
I offer. I do believe that he will work, and none shalL 
let. I do believe that the very hairs of our head are 
numbered, and a sparrow cannot fall without him ; that 
he will work according to the counsel of his will, that 
none can turn aside his purpose, and that very fruitless 
is my anxiety. O to be able to say, in the full sense 
of the words, as given by our divine Teacher, "Thy 
will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven." This is en- 
tering into rest; rest in the will of God. While I 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 333 

groan, I ought to sing; for my own particular soul, I 
hare all and abound ; a throne of grace ; an Advocate 
with the Father ; no inconsiderable share of the spirit 
of prayer ; " the Spirit helping my infirmities with groan- 
ings which cannot be uttered ;" a sense of pardoning 
love; some evidences of success in my spiritual war- 
fare ; assurance of final victory ; my mansions in view, 
often very near ; my blessed High Priest waiting me in 
Jordan, who will divide the waters, support my head and 

heart, and carry me safely through. * * . * 

***** * * 

O world, world, much have I suffered for the court I 
have paid to thee ! Let my children take warning ; 
let them keep a jealous eye over their hearts. All 
without may be fair, may bring praise from men, yea, 
even from Christians ; yet may the spouse of Jesus be 
living in adultery. O let them watch " the lust of the 
eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life." Let 
them watch in respect to lawful things — idols were 
made of the very trees of Lebanon. If our purest 
blessings occupy that place in our affections, or that 
portion of our time which should be devoted to spiri- 
tual exercises, great must be our loss ! Our Husband 
expects our company, (Has he not wooed us with his 
very heart's blood ?) confidential communion with bolt- 
ed doors, all other objects excluded ; his own gifts not 
excepted. He expects spiritual love, a whole heart. 
At such time he brings his spouse " into the banquet- 
ing-house, and his banner over her is love ; he stays her 
with flagons, and comforts her with apples while she is 
sick of love." 

I suffer my pen to run, because I know I write not 
mystery to you. You have tasted, you have felt, you 
have enjoyed all, and more than I can put in words. 



334 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

O my dear J — , I think the fault is ours, that we enjoy 
not oftener such seasons ; we leave neither room nor 
time, nor do we use the means ; neither do we follow our 
melting seasons. Read in this view the 5th of the 
Song ; see also the invitation in the 2d and 9th, to the 
end. O my J — , let not youthful prime, sensibility, 
and ardour, be all expended on the very best of his 
creatures. 



TO MR. A. D , Edinburgh. 



New-York, 1793. 
I have just been reading over my dear friend's pre- 
cious letters, and am refreshed anew by the same 
truths and uniform experience of every Christian ; 
which all amounts to this — that the Lord is the Por- 
tion of his people, and that whom he loves, he loves to 
the end. My soul melts with tenderness when I re- 
collect my fellow travellers in the wilderness ; those 
dear associates with whom I have so often taken sweet 
counsel ; who so often comforted me with the same 
comforts with which they themselves were comforted. 
I am also led to recollect some who have finished their 
warfare ; some whose trials were sharp and long ; but 
who, through the same grace in which we trust, were 
steadfast to the end: and now inherit a crown of life 
— the reward of grace, not of debt. I feel strength- 
ened and comforted. My dear G— , I could have 
thought it an honour to have dressed that clay out of 
what the Lord gave me, and with my own hands. O 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 335 

how bright does the soul now shine in that fine linen, 
clean and white ! Many, many were the tears she 
shed in the wilderness. She had a deep draught of 
the Redeemer's cup, because she was to be made 
very like him : and she is now like him, for she sees 
him as he is, and shares in his glory. Her lot here 
was humble, but her place now is not so ; the Lord 
will honour her humble sufferings, patience, and love, 
as highly as those of saints who move in a higher sphere. 
I had often wished to be near her at her departure, 
but that honour was reserved for you. I rejoice to hear 
that your children are promising ; I think it is the great- 
est comfort a parent can enjoy in this world. I have 
a large share of it, in my three daughters : but my 
prodigal is not come to himself: he still feeds on husks, 
nor thinks of the plenty in his Father's house. I had 
great hopes last winter : I heard he had been very ill, 
in consequence of very severe treatment from his cap- 
tain. The Lord has been emptying him from vessel 
to vessel, and I have been waiting the issue : but mine 
eyes almost fail, and my spirit frets, because I know the 
Lord can, and no other can. I have great hopes, too, 
that God's time will come. I am also satisfied that it 
will be the best time ; but still I cry, O how long ! 
My dear friends, I think I would recommend it to you 
to keep your children about you. No other had ever 
the influence over him that I had ; and I regret that I 
did not bring him with me. Mrs. Stevenson, (Jessy), 
who was so very delicate, is much under the rod ; but 
she kisses it, and turns to Him who appoints it. My 
two young ones are sweet, obedient, diligent girls ; my 
word is as much a law, as when they were seven years 
of age. This also is of God ! and to him I look for 
their continuing, and for my prodigal's return. Our 



3SS LIFE AND WHITINGS OF 

young Timothy, J. M — , is a perfect champion for the 
Gospel of Jesus : the Lord has well girded him, and 
largely endowed him : he walks closely with God, and 
speaks and preaches like a Christian of long experi- 
ence: he was ordained ahout two months ago in his 
father's church, and a few weeks after married a lady 
of eminent piety, and preached all the day, both the 
Sabbath before and after: no levity appeared in word 
or gesture ; which is not always the case with the best 
at such times. There is not a church in New- York 
whose discipline is as strict, nor one which has so many 
communicants. He is reckoned a youth of great talents 
and an orator ; and many of even the idle and careless, 
go to hear him. A few Sabbaths ago, he preached 
from these words, " I am determined to know nothing 
among you, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified." After 
proving that all the Scriptures, from the beginning of 
Genesis to the end of Revelations, pointed to Christ 
and his great work of- redemption ; and, asserting 
that that sermon could not be called the Gospel, of 
which He was not the Subject, he spoke home to 
his audience, and told them that this, through the aid 
of Divine Grace, was his firm purpose — to dwell on 
redeeming love. He was sure no subject would be 
welcome to any Christian, where Christ was not to be 
found ; nor would any such subject ever convert a 
sinner ; and therefore, if any were about to take their 
place there, expecting to hear any new or strange 
thing, let them not disappoint themselves? Oh! for a 
thankful heart! The Lord has indeed done wonders f 
for me and mine ; and, blessed be his name for thig 
mercy also, that in a remarkable manner, by a strange! 
concurrence of circumstances, he hedged me in, taf 
become a member of this congregation, where I am fed I 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 337 

with the same truths which nourished my soul in Zion's 
gates, at Edinburgh: and I am enabled to sing the 
Lord's song in a foreign land. Often have I been 
tempted to hang my harp upon the willow, when I 
thought on Zion : but this was, and sometimes still is, 
my sin and ingratitude ; for I ought to build houses, and 
plant vineyards, and seek the good of the land ; for he 
has a small vineyard here, which he waters and culti- 
vates, and I ought to labour therein, and do whatsoever 
my hand findeth to do with diligence ; and say, " The 
earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof ; heaven is 
his throne, the earth his footstool/' and he fills all things, 
and all places. — " What aileth thee, Hagar ?" O what a 
God of mercy is our God ! Often has he hailed me in 
some such language : " What aileth thee ?" why is thy 
countenance sad ? Am not I better to thee than ten 
friends ? Then has he turned my heart to him, made 
me feel myself close to him: he has suffered me to 
lean on his bosom, hang on his arm, and lisp out Abba. 
At such blest moments, I have thought the whole 
earth but one point, and from that to heaven but one 
step, and the time between but as one moment ; and 
my company here sufficient to satisfy me by the way. 
At such blest moments, I have felt entire satisfaction 
with all that God is, all that he does ; and could trust 
him fully with all my concerns, spiritual, temporal, and 
eternal. But, alas! by and by, like a peevish child, 
I begin to fret ; wish this, wish that ; grieve for this, 
grieve for that ; fear this, fear that ; stagger, stumble, 
fall ! O what a God of patience and long-suffering ! 
And O how rich that well-ordered covenant, that pro- 
vides suitable grace for all these unsteady seasons ! It 
is my greatest consolation, that the Lord knows it all. 
There are times when I cannot see him ; but every 



338 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

moment he sees me. I should fall off, and leave him ; 
but he holds me fast, and never leaves me. O blessed 
plan, where God secures us in safety, even from ourselves ! 
We have not only destroyed ourselves, and he has been 
our help ; but we are ever destroying ourselves, and still 
he renews this help. 

Well, what shall we say ? Father, glorify thy name, 
and let us lie in thy hand, as clay in the potter's, till 
thou finish thy workmanship, and fit us vessels of mercy, 
to be filled with happiness, when thou shalt have done thy 
good pleasure in us, and by us, in this world, through the 
grace that is in Christ Jesus, who loved us, and gave 
himself for us ; to whom be glory, honour, and praise, in 
the church below, and in the general assembly above, now 
and ever. Amen. 

My love, my heart's love, to my dear Mrs. D — . 
I am ever your affectionate friend, 

In the bonds of the Gospel, 
ISABELLA GRAHAM 



TO MRS. O—, Edinburgh. 



New- York, 1793. 
I received both my dear friend's letters, and I 
thank you for remembering me. You cannot but know, 
that any thing, however trifling, from a friend at a 
distance, is pleasant : but it is no trifle to learn, not 
only that you are well, but that you are still of the 
same mind with regard to your heavenly course and 
prospects. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 339 

My dear friend, you and I have advanced a great 
way through the wilderness, since we parted, and I 
know, and am persuaded, that we are both, in exact 
proportion near the haven of our hopes. This persua- 
sion is not founded upon any confidence I have in 
myself, or in my purposes of holding on. No, my 
friend, the longer I live, the more I am convinced that 
I stand by grace ; and, could I believe that the Lord 
would ever let go his hold of me, and let loose my own 
corruptions, and the enemy to traffic with them, and 
deceive me by them, I believe that I could lie, steal, 
commit murder, and do all that human wickedness 
ever practised ; but, blessed, ever blessed be our divine 
Shepherd ! He is our Keeper, who has promised that 
" sin shall not have dominion over us :" and for this 
very reason, " that we are not under the law, but under 
grace." Here is the ground of our confidence, that we 
shall persevere, and finish our course safely, and perhaps 
honourably too, before the world ; though this is not 
always the case. My dear friend, let us ever keep 
sight of our Keeper and Leader, and fear nothing. I 
will tell you something for your comfort, and for your 
encouragement ; it may also serve for your confirma- 
tion ; I tell it you in confidence. It is now, I think, 
thirty-five years since I simply, biit solemnly, accepted 
of the Lord's Christ, as God's gift, to a lost world. I 
rolled my condemned, perishing, corrupted soul upon 
this Jesus, exhibited in the Gospel as a Saviour from 
sin. My views then were dark, compared with what 
they now are ; but this I remember, that, at the time, 
I felt heart- satisfying trust in the mercy of God, as the 
purchase of Christ ; and for a time, rejoiced with joy 
scarcely supportable, singing almost continually the 
103d Psalm. I took a view of the promises of God, 

Q, 2 



340 LIFE AND WRITINGS OP 

and wrote out many of them, and called them mine ; 
and among the foremost was that in the 89th Psalm, 
and 30th verse ; and well has the Lord kept me to it, 
and made it good ; for, my dear friend, never was there 
a more unsteady, unwatchful Christian ; never did 
the children of Israel's conduct in the wilderness 
depict any Christian's heart and conduct, in gospel 
times, better than mine ; and just so has the Lord 
dealt with me. When he slew me, then I trusted in 
him; when he gave me carnal ease and comfort, I 
forgot my Rock, and rebelled. Often did I stumble too, 
from legality, instead of looking at my own weakness 
and impotence, and trusting wholly in my Redeemer's 
strength. I was wroth with myself, wondered at myself, 
and thought it impossible I could be as I had been. 
I made strong resolutions, yea, vows, and became a 
slave in the endeavour to hedge in this wandering, 
worldly, vain, flighty heart ; but, alas ! a few months 
found me where I was, with scarcely a thought of 
God from morning to night, prayer huddled over in 
words that had no effect on my heart ; and the fear of 
hell, the chief restraint of sin, or spur to duty. Then, 
in general, the Lord had some affliction for me, which 
laid me afresh at his feet, and made me take a fresh 
grasp of Christ, and a fresh view of his covenant ; then, 
again, I felt safety, joy, peace, and happiness ; thus, 
by line upon line, by precept upon precept, and by 
stripe upon stripe, he taught me, that I could not walk 
a moment alone. This is now my fixed faith ; and, 
in proportion as I keep it in sight, I walk safely ; but 
I still forget, and still stumble, and still fall ; but I 
am lifted up, and taught lesson after lesson ; and I shall 
stumble and fall, while sin is in me ; but I am as 
sure that I shall be lifted up, and be restored, as I am 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 341 

sure I now breathe, and write these things ; and the 
last stumble shall come, and the last stripe shall be laid 
on, and the last lesson taught, and that which concerns 
me shall be perfected. Then shall I look back, and see 
" all the way by which he has led me, to prove me, and 
try me, and show me what was in my heart, that he might 
do me good in my latter end." I am often, even in this 
valley of darkness and ignorance, allowed this retro- 
spective view ; and am led to say, " Not one word of all 
that he promised has failed. Hitherto the Lord hath 
helped : he has been the Guide of my youth, and even 
unto hoar hairs will he lead me ;" and when he calls me to 
pass through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall 
even then fear no evil, for his rod and staff shall sup- 
port me, and I shall enter the presence of my Re- 
deemer, white and clean, dressed in the most perfect 
righteousness ; angels and saints shall know me in this 
glorious robe ; my Redeemer will acknowledge me as one 
of his ransomed people, and I shall finally be for ever, 
with the Lord. 



TO MISS Al— . 



September 11, 1800. 
There was, my dear Miss M — , something in your 
countenance and manner, at our last interview, which 
has dwelt on my mind ever since. Your former atten- 
tions, which I also marked, I attributed to the natural 
benevolence of your heart ; but your following a 
stranger, an old woman, of whom you knew so little, 
and you were likely never to see again — to solicit her 



342 LIFE AND WRITINGS 01 s 

friendship, and an interest in her prayers, spoke a language 
beyond nature. Either my sweet friend has already 
chose a God in Christ to be her portion, and his love 
in her heart powerfully draws her to every one in 
whom she thinks she discerns his image ; or she conceives 
that this world cannot give her happiness, even in 
this life ; and, impressed with the importance of that 
which is to come, she w T ishes to cast in her lot among 
God's people, that she may ' know the good of his chosen, 
and rejoice in their joy/ and become a partaker of 
that peace which the Saviour bequeathed to his dis- 
ciples, when about to leave them ; u Peace I leave 
with you. My peace I give unto you; not as the 
world giveth, give I unto you ; let not your heart be 
troubled, neither let it be afraid. " Let me congratulate 
my friend, whichever of these be the case. If the 
first, you have (or will soon have) a peace which the 
world can neither give, nor take away ; if the last, the 
Saviour stands at the door of your heart, and knocks, 
soliciting that heart which has too long been hunting 
shadows and vanity. If your soul is dissatisfied with 
the things of the world, and tired with disappointment, 
cast a longing eye to the Fountain of happiness. This 
is the claim of that God, whose name is Love, " My son, 
give me thy heart. Come unto me, all ye that labour and 
are heavy laden ; and I will give you rest. In the 
world ye shall have tribulation ;" but " in me ye shall have 
peace." Be assured, my dear friend, if you could obtain 
all of this world that your heart could wish for, you 
would find vanity written on the possession. Nothing 
short of God himself can give happiness to the soul 
of man: and exactly in proportion as man becomes 
weaned from the world, and his affections centre in 
God, is he in possession of happiness. But how is 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 348 

this to be attained? By God's own plan, and no other. 
As many weary themselves in vain, hunting the shadows 
of time ; so many great philosophers, sensible of this 
great truth, that God alone can satisfy the rational soul, 
also weary themselves in vain, because they will not 
seek the blessing in God's own way. " When the 
world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased him, by the 
foolishness of preaching," (what was esteemed so), " to 
save them that believe. I thank thee, O Father, that 
thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and 
hast revealed them unto babes." The Saviour said, "Ye 
will not come to me that ye might have life. No man 
can come to the Father but by me, 1 am the Way, the 
Truth, and the Life. Search the Scriptures, for in them 
ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which 
testify of me. The Scripture testifies what our own hearts 
must assent to, that human nature is depraved, and 
corrupt ; broken of? from God ; at a distance from him 
by sin : enmity against him in his true character ; op- 
posed to his holy law, in its extent and spirituality; 
we are also helpless, dead in trespasses and sins. " O 
Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself;" (blessed be God for 
what follows,) " but in me is thy help." The same 
Scripture which testifies the misery of man, reveals also 
his remedy ; a remedy of God's own providing, by which 
man may be restored to the image and favour of God, 
and to that communion with him which is life and bliss. 
" God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten 
Son , that whosoever believeth on him might not perish, 
but have everlasting life : for God sent not his Son into 
the world to condemn the world, but that the world 
through him might be saved. And this is life eternal, 
that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." When 
man becomes convinced that he is lost, helpless, wretched, 

Q, 4 



344 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

lying at mercy, and submits to the method of God's 
own providing ; casts himself on the mercy of God in 
Christ, and coming to him, rests on his free promise* 
" Him that cometh to me I will in nowise cast out;'' 
disclaiming all confidence in himself, or in his own 
works, he accepts of God's offered grace, in God's own 
way, a free and finished salvation. " This is the 
record of God, that he giveth unto us eternal life, and 
this life is in his Son ; who of God is made unto us, 
Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Sanctification, and 
complete Redemption." Believing this, according to his 
faith it shall be. Christ shall be in him " a well of water 
springing up to eternal life." He will shed abroad his 
love in his heart, and, according to his promise, give 
him " power to become a child of God." The Holy 
Ghost, the Comforter, shall be given unto him, to teach 
him the knowledge of the Scriptures, and to become a 
principle of holiness in his heart. Then shall he find 
that wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all 
her paths peace ; then shall he experience the blessed- 
ness of " that man whose God is the Lord ;" then is the 
way open for communion and converse with God the Fa- 
ther, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

If, my dear Miss M — , I have made myself understood, 
you have my view of God's method of making his 
creatures happy ; and I believe he will make us to know 
that he is a Sovereign God, and that there is no other 
name by which men can be saved, but the name of 
Christ Jesus. But take nothing on my word, nor the 
word of any creature ; search the Scriptures ; read the 
first eight chapters of the Romans, the whole of the 
Ephesians: stumble not at mysteries — pass them over, 
and take the milk for babes ; pray for the teaching of 
the Spirit ; and let me recommend to you the advice 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 345 

of Mr. Newton, in his Omicron's Letters, a book well 
worth your reading, ' Lay not too much stress on de- 
tached texts, but seek for the sense which is most agree- 
able to the general strain of Scripture.' 

My dear Miss M — , I am now old, and I hope have 
done with the world ; but I have been young, and I 
once drank deeply of youth's choicest pleasures. I 
was blest with the most excellent and most indulgent 
of parents ; I was the wife of a man of sense, sentiment, 
and sensibility, who was my very first love and lover : 
and that love ripened and improved with years. My 
children were good and healthy ; love, health, peace, 
and competency, blessed our dwelling. I had also, in 
early life, taken hold of God's covenant, and tasted his 
covenant love, and devoted myself to his service ; but 
very far was I from that non- conformity which the 
precept of the Gospel requires ; had I kept close to my 
covenant God, enjoyed his bounty with thankfulness, 
occupied my talents, devoted my time to usefulness and 
communion with him ; had I prayed against corruption 
within, and temptation without, the Lord would have 
directed my steps, and held up my goings, and I should 
have continued to inherit the earth, and should not have 
been diminished. But this was very far from being my 
conduct; the bent of the natural, unrenewed heart, is 
still opposed to God ; and the best are sanctified only 
in part, while in this life ; the law in the members still 
wars against the law of the spirit of life in the mind. 
The goodness of God, which ought to have been a 
powerful motive to gratitude, love, and diligence, was 
mis-improved : I enjoyed the gifts, and forgot the Giver ; 
4 hugged my comforts to death.' Many, many light 
chastisements, my dear, my kind, my indulgent heavenly 
Father exercised me with ; I had many repenting seasons 

(* 5 



346 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

under his strokes ; I received many manifestations of 
pardon ; and many fresh and solemn dedications of my 
heart, life, and substance, did I make: but no sooner 
were ease and comfort restored, than my heart u turned 
aside like a deceitful bow ;" my whole life, from fifteen 
to the thirtieth year of my age, was one continued succes- 
sion cf departure and backsliding on my part ; of chasten- 
ing, forgiving, restoring, and comforting, on the part of 
my God. 

He did not cast me off, but dealt with me according 
to the constitution of his well-ordered covenant — Psal. 
lxxxix. 30. ; " If his children" (Christ's) " forsake my 
law, and walk not in my judgments— if they break my 
statutes, and keep not my commandments, then will I 
visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity 
with stripes. Nevertheless, my loving-kindness will I 
not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to 
fail ; my covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing 
that is gone out of my lips." This is the covenant (made 
with Christ as the federal head of all who believe) of 
which I took hold in early life ; my God kept me to my 
choice, and manifested his own faithfulness, and the 
stability of his covenant. When lighter afflictions proved 
ineffectual, he at last, at one blow, took from me all that 
made life dear, the very kernel of all my earthly joys, my 
idol, my beloved husband. Then I no longer halted 
between two opinions; my God became my all. I 
leave it as my testimony, that He has heen " a Father to 
the fatherless, a Husband to the widow, the stranger's 
Shield," and the " orphan's Stay." Even to hoar hairs 
and to old age has he carried me, and " not one good 
word has failed" of all that he has promised. 'He has 
done all things well,' and at this day I am richer and 
happier than ever I was in my life. Not that I am yet 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 347 

made free from sin, that is still my burden ; want of love 
and gratitude, indolence in commanded duty, self-will, 
and nestling in the creature. But my heart's wish and 
earnest desire is conformity. The bent of my will is 
for God ; and, if my heart deceive me not, my God is 
the centre of my best affections. It is by grace that I 
am what I am, and the same grace engages to perfect 
the work begun. 

This God is my God; he will guide me even unto 
death, through death, and be my portion through eternity. 
This God I recommend to my friend; and this well- 
ordered covenant, this all-sufficient Saviour, for your 
acceptance ; and the Bible for your guide : pray to God 
for his Holy Spirit to lead you to the knowledge of the 
very truth, as it is in Jesus. Accept this as a testimony 
of friendship, and believe me yours in love, 

I. GRAHAM. 



November 2, 1800. 

You have, I find, been the child of affliction ; she is 
a stern, rugged nurse ; but blessed often are the lessons 
she teaches. * I have,' (says God) 4 chosen thee in 
the furnace of affliction/ It is God's ordinary way of 
drawing sinners to himself, either to dry up, or imbitter, 
the streams of worldly comfort, that he may shut them 
up to seek that comfort that depends not on any transitory 
source. 

I have not a doubt but you shall yet sing with the 
royal Psalmist, " It is good for me that I have been 
afflicted ;" for, " before I was afflicted I went astray, but 
now I have kept thy word. Blessed is the man thou 
chastenest, Lord, and makest to learn thy ways." Many 
are the texts to the same purport ; take them for your 
consolation as a part of God's well-ordered covenant. 

Q6 



348 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

You have met with a late bereavement, which has 
entered deep into your soul. We are not called to 
stoicism, but to tenderness of heart and spirit. Jesus 
wept with the two sisters over a brother's grave. But 
still the Christian's spirit must be resigned, and say, and 
try to say with cheerfulness, " Not my will, but thine be 
done." And, O my friend, great will be the wisdom, 
and happy the acquisition, if every new bereavement 
enlarge the room for divine love in the heart, and be 
filled up with that most noble, most blessed of principles. 
Seek not, my friend, to replace friendship with any mere 
worldling ; beg of God to fill up the vacuum, then will 
you be a great gainer. 

Why hesitate to join the church? Let not a sense 
of unworthiness keep you back. A deep sense of am- 
worthiness is one grand part of due preparation ; and 
no worthiness of yours can give you any title to that 
44 New Testament in Christ's blood, which was shed for 
the remission of sins." Worthless, vile, empty, helpless, 
is every son and daughter of Adam's race ; but it was for 
the ungodly that Christ died : it was while we were 
without strength : his name was called M Jesus," because 
he should save his people from their sins. " In that day, 
that great day of the feast, Jesus stood" among a mixed 
multitude, " and cried, If any man thirst, let him come to 
me and drink — whosoever will, let him come and take of 
the water of life freely." 

If conscious at the time that it is the supreme desire 
of your soul to be washed in his blood, clothed with his 
righteousness, sanctified by his Spirit — go — and take 
this water of life freely ; go as a " sinner" to a " Saviour ;" 
go at his command, put honour on his appointment, 
and repeat the dedication of all that you are, have, or 
ean have, over the symbols of his " body broken for you," 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 349 

his " blood shed for you ;'* go, trusting in his mercy, and 
leave all to his management, believing that he will shed 
abroad his love in your heart, order your footsteps in 
his ways, and in due time perfect his image in your 
soul. Keep close to him in the use of means, but look 
beyond the means for life and power. I commit you 
to our God and Saviour, and pray that he may be to 
you, " Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification," and u Re- 
demption.' ' 

I am, my dear Miss M., your ever affectionate, 

I. G. 



January, 4, 1801. 

Well! let us bless the Lord together for 

what he has done for you, for me, and for many dear 
to us. None ever sought him in vain, or found him 
worse than his promise. " If any man will do his will, 
he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God. Then 
shall ye know, if ye follow on to know the Lord. If ye 
then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your 
children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give 
the Holy Spirit to them that ask him ! Ask, and ye shall 
receive ; seek, and } r e shall find ; knock, and it shall be 
opened to you, Ho ! every one that thirsteth, come ye to 
the waters.' ' 

My friend, did I say too much of this kind, compas- 
sionate, life-giving Saviour, or of the fulness and free* 
ness of the gift of God ? You have tasted it, you have 
witnessed it, you have seen a recent proof of it — you 
may trace mercy through all this dispensation ; the 
lengthening out of his illness, the preservation of his 
judgment and strength of mind to the last, concurred 
to manifest to himself, to you, and to all who would look 



350 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

>on the reality of the joy and peace which are the fruit 
of believing and acquiescing in that remedy of God's 
own providing for poor wandering, miserable sinners. 
He had wandered from the Fountain of living waters ; 
his broken cisterns could yield him no refreshment — 
like the poor starving prodigal, he desired to return to 
his father, and asked the way to Zion with his face 
thitherwards. Was not the sequel realized to him ? His 
father met him, embraced him, brought him home, and 
filled his heart with peace and gladness. Is it not all of 
a piece with what he has revealed of his own name and 
character ? 

He has declared himself to be " the Lord, the Lord 
God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, slow to anger, 
of great kindness, showing mercy to thousands, pardoning 
iniquity, transgression, and sin — who will by no means 
clear the guilty ;" seeing he has found a method of mag- 
nifying his own law, and justifying the ungodly, by 
substituting another in their room. God is merciful 
to all the extent he has said ; but still it is by his own 
method ; for he has declared, that " there is no other 
name given, by which men must be saved, but the name 
of Christ Jesus. " But men, even such as are moral, 
benevolent, {good in the common acceptation of the 
word,) going about to establish their own righteousness, 
will not submit to the righteousness of God's own pro- 
viding : this is the madness, this is the folly, this I fear, 
is the ruin of thousands. Did I say, / fear ? Dare I 
doubt ? No, I dare not, for God has said it. O my 
friend, let us cleave to the only Mediator between God 
and man, the Man Christ Jesus ; and let us be jealous 
among those whom we love, and over whom we have 
influence, to bring them off from every sandy foundation, 
to the Rock, Christ. You say true, that I was interested. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM, 351 

personally, in this dear Brother : and never did mother 
watch over the darling of her heart, with more unwearied 
attention, than he did over my Jessy. He, by the 
blessing of God, restored her for a time — now they are 
met ; soon shall we follow ; many friends have gone 
before. O that every bereavement may be blessed to 
us, that we may be weaned from the things of time, and 
made familiar with the prospects held out to us beyond 
the grave ! 



TO MRS. JULIET S— , New- York. 



Belleville, September 10, 1808, 

MY BEAR JULIET, 

Since the hour 1 received your letter, you have 
been little out of my mind. You call upon me as mother, 
friend, counsellor. Shall conscious unworthiness, or 
weakness, or ignorance, prevent me from answering ( 
No ; for God often chooses weak instruments to bring 
to pass great ends. I have been once and again at a 
throne of grace, for wisdom to direct me, and grace to 
be faithful. If your desire after spiritual knowledge be 
sincere, and from the Spirit of God operating on your 
heart, you will bear searching. 

You are a communicant, my Juliet : this presupposes 
that a very great, and an important change has taken 
place in your mind, that you have heen made deeply 
sensible of what the word of God testifies of every son 
and daughter of Adam's race. Romans, iii. 9. iC As it 
is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Man 
is born as the wild ass's colt, going astray from the 



352 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

womb." Job. " The heart is deceitful above all things, 
and desperately wicked ; I the Lord search it. Having 
the understanding darkened, alienated from tne life of 
God, through the ignorance that is in us, because of the 
blindness of our hearts." Ephesians, iv. 18. " Dead in 
trespasses and sins" — Chapter ii. 1. This chapter may 
be addressed to you, Juliet, by name. " You hath he 
quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Wherein 
in time past ye walked, according to the course of this 
world, according to the prince of the power of the air, 
the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobe- 
dience ; among whom also we all had our conversation in 
times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires 
of the flesh, and of the mind ; and were by nature the 
children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich 
in mercy, for his great love, wherewith he hath loved us, 
even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us 
together with Christ. By grace are ye saved, through 
faith ; not of works, lest any man should boast." Works 
there are, my Juliet, most assuredly ; every quickened 
soul will live, and bring forth fruits of righteousness ; but 
these works are not attainable, except in God's way and 
order. It follows, " For we are his workmanship, created 
in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before 
ordained, that we should walk in them." My Juliet 
says, 'To you, then, I look up, to teach me.' Let me 
then bring you to the great Teacher and Prophet of 
the church, without whose teaching all human instruction 
will be ineffectual. We read of two amiable persons 
coming to Christ, professedly for instruction. The first 
you will find in Matthew, xix. 16. The young man 
asks him, " What good thing shall I do, that I may 
inherit eternal life ?" Jesus answers him, by referring 
him to the moral law ; the young man, not made 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 353 

acquainted by the Spirit of God, either with the extent 
or with the spirituality of that law, or of the depravity 
of his own nature, answers, as many in like circumstances 
still do : " All these things have I kept from my youth 
up." I do not suppose any one could contradict him. 
It is added that Jesus loved him, and he was a person 
of attractive character ; but Jesus knew that the new 
principle was not there — supreme love to God, "with 
all the heart, with all the soul, with all the strength, 
and with all the mind:" therefore he gave him a test, 
which proved that the world was uppermost in his heart. 
He went away sorrowful, and we hear no more of him. 
Of the other person, you read in that remarkable chapter, 
the third of John's Gospel — his name was Nicodemus," 
a ruler of the Jews, and also a teacher. Well he 
knew the law, as to the letter of it, both moral and, 
ceremonial ; he must also have been acquainted with 
all the Old Testament Scripture, types, and prophecies, 
it being his office to expound ; and, no doubt, among 
others, he was looking for the promised Messiah. Jesus 
does not send him to either the law or the prophets. 
This ruler comes with a conviction and an acknowledg- 
ment, that Jesus himself was a Teacher immediately 
from God ; and Jesus immediately takes upon himself 
his great office, and begins with urging that which is 
a sinner's first business : " to know himself," what he 
is by nature, and the necessity of the new birth. Nico- 
demus, with all his learning, was a stranger to this 
doctrine: " How r can a man be born when he is old ?" 
Jesus repeats his doctrine: "He must be born of water 
and the Spirit. That which is born of the flesh, is 
flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 
Marvel not that I said unto you, Ye must be born 
again." Humble that proud reason, which will believe 



354 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

nothing but what it can understand. " The wind 
bloweth where it listeth, and thou nearest the sound 
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh or whither it 
goeth : so is every one that is born of the Spirit" — a 
mystery it is ; nevertheless it is true. Follow out the 
chapter, my dear. Jesus preaches his own Gospel, and 
brings in that beautiful type the serpent, which He had 
commanded to be raised on a pole, that those who had 
been bitten with fiery serpents, whose bite was death, 
should look unto it and be healed. Read it in the 
21st of Numbers. In reference to this, he himself says? 
" Look unto me, all ye ends of the earth, and be ye 
saved. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the 
kingdom of God." As it regards him that is quickened, 
renewed in the spirit of his mind, old things pass away, 
and all things become new : new principles, new desires, 
new pleasures, new ends. The work is God's. The 
whole plan of redemption is his, from first to last. It 
is clearly revealed in Scripture, and there is no dispute 
among Christians concerning it. The fall of man, his 
corruption and depravity, his state under the curse of 
a broken covenant, and his exposure to eternal misery, 
his helplessness, and total inability to return to God, 
his ignorance of his situation — " dead in trespasses 
and sins, without God, and without hope in the world :" 
these are affecting subjects, but there is good news 
proclaimed, u God so loved the world, that he gave his 
only begotten Son, to become the surety of lost sinners." 
He took our nature upon him, our sins upon him, our 
duties upon him ; he was placed in our room and 
stead; he sustained the penalty of the broken law; ful- 
filled its utmost demands ; " redeemed" us ; gave us a new 
covenant, of which himself is the Surety : and there is 
no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 355 

The merits of Christ, exclusively of any thing of ours, 

are the sole foundation of our hope. Christ is set 

forth in Scripture, as the Atonement, the Propitiation 

for sins, the one Sacrifice for sin ; Christ is the End of 

the law for righteousness : all is made ours by free gift. 

1 John, v. 11. All is ready: justice satisfied, God 

reconciled, peace proclaimed. But what is all this to 

a thoughtless world, insensible of their situation, danger. 

and need ? It is an awful saying, but it is of the Holy 

Ghost—" If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that 

are lost, in whom the god of this world hath blinded 

their minds, and darkened their understandings, and 

hardened their hearts." Therefore the application of 

this grace is also of God ; it is all within his plan. He 

has appointed means, and commanded our diligence in 

the use of them. We hare his Bible in our hands ; and 

his ministers in our churches, who are also pastors and 

teachers, if we apply for their aid in private : we have a 

throne of grace to go to, and many great and precious 

promises held up in God's word for us to embrace and 

plead for Christ's sake : we have many prayers in the 

Scriptures, which we may adopt with the confidence of 

being heard. 

I acknowledge that we are still dependant for the 
effect : that must be from God himself. But he honours 
his own ordinances. He puts forth his power, and 
convinces of sin : this is his first work, the soul is 
awakened, aroused, convinced of sin and misery; sins 
of the heart, sins of the tongue, sins of the life, press 
upon the conscience, which never disturbed before — 
mis-spent time, wasted talents, lost opportunities, neglect 
of God's word and ordinances, so that the soul cannot 
rest. O, my Juliet, this is a hopeful case. I hope 
you have experienced something of it. It is one of 



356 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

the surest marks of the operation of the Spirit of God, 
and a prelude to the new birth. It never takes place 
without it; for "the whole need not a physician, but 
they that are sick." Only the weary and heavy laden 
will prize rest ; and Christ is the rest they need ; only 
a convinced sinner will or can prize the Saviour ; and 
now the Lord opens his mind to understand the Scrip- 
tures ! He sees the provision which God has made for 
ruined sinners, by sending a Substitute to stand in his 
room : he perceives how God can be just, and yet justify 
the sinner who takes shelter in Jesus ; he falls in with 
God's gracious plan ; receives the Lord Jesus as God's 
gift to sinners ; trusts entirely in his merit for pardon, 
peace, reconciliation, and eternal life ; resigns his soul 
into the hands of his Saviour, in the faith that he will 
save it ; and devotes himself unreservedly to his service, 
in the faith that he will give him grace to live to 
him in all holy obedience. Now, and not till now, 
according to God's promise, he receives power to become 
his child : this is God's order. John, i. 12, Now he 
receives life, and begins to live ; but there is yet a 
great work before him. It has pleased God, in his 
plan, to finish at once a justifying righteousness ; it 
is his own work, and was finished in that awful hour 
when he announced it in his last words on the cross. 
John, xix. 31. To this nothing of ours is to be added — 
with this nothing of ours mixt ; it is for ever perfect — 
it is God's gift, made ours by imputation in the hour 
when we first " believe, receive it, and rest our souls upon 
it." But it has not pleased God, in this plan, to deliver 
the believer at once from in-dwelling sin. This is the 
subject of the Christian " warfare", the "race,"£the "good 
fight." Now the believer receives life, and is called to 
work: "Work out your own salvation with fear and 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 357 

trembling for it is God that worketh in you, both to will 
and to do." All the promises in this blessed Bible are 
his — they are Yea and Amen in Christ ; Christ himself is 
his ; his spirit dwells in him. The believer is united 
to Jesus by as real a union as the branch to the vine, 
the members to the head, the building to the foundation, 
Yet sin dwells in him, and is to be subdued by constant 
applications to Christ in prayer — by means of watching, 
striving, fighting; fighting under his banners. In his 
blessed Word we are informed where our strength 
lies, what are our weapons, what our armour. But 
what can I say on these subjects ? The whole Word 
of God is on the subject of redemption ; to this refer 
the whole labours of Christ's ministers, and the whole 
dispensation of God's providence. Are these things so ? 
My Juliet, this is not the doctrine of any one church. 
About these subjects there is no dispute ; Presbyterians, 
Episcopalians, Baptists, Independents, all agree in these 
great things. And are these things so indeed? O my 
Juliet, where is the time to be spared for plays, assem- 
blies, and such numerous idle parties of various de- 
scriptions ? I must stop : the subject is great, and we 
have many excellent treatises on the various parts of it, 
written by able pious men. It would be improper to 
crowd it thus into a letter, unless to instigate to further 
investigation. 

Farewell ! I ever am, my dear Juliet, yours affec- 
tionately, 

I. GRAHAM, 



358 LIFE AND WRITINGS OP 

TO MISS VAN WYCK, New-york. 

Rockaway, 1810. 

MY DEAR, MY BELOVED ELIZA, 

Mr. and Mrs. B. are here on a visit for one 
night. I did not expect to see them so soon, or I would 
have had a letter ready. I expect another opportunity 
in the course of a few days, when I will send you a long 
letter, from my heart ; and, I hope, dictated by your and 
my Teacher. 

I learn, by my children, that you continue much in 
the same way in which I left you. It is your own 
God who mixes your cup, and it is to you a cup of 
blessing ; there is no curse in it. Your Jesus drank 
that cup to the very dregs, that bitter as well as sweet 
might be to you a cup of blessing. O, then, my dar- 
ling, hold fast by your Redeemer. He is the Lord 
your Righteousness, and the Lord your Strength. He 
connects your profit with his own glory. You shall in 
this protracted affliction manifest it, and hold out the 
word of life to those around you*. You shall witness 
for him, that He is the Lord, and besides him there is 
no Saviour — that " he gathers the lambs in his arms and 
carries them in his bosom — that he is to them a Hiding- 
place from the wind, and a Covert from the tempest — 
as rivers of water in a dry place, and as the shadow of a 
great rock in a weary land ;" that it is he that teaches 
them to profit, and leads them by the way that they 

* This prediction was remarkably fulfilled in the experience of this 
dear young saint; an interesting account of whose illness and death 
has been published in the Christian's Magazine. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 



359 



should go ; and that in due time he will perfect all that 
concerns them. 

Farewell ! Yours with affection, 

I. GRAHAM. 



TO THE SAME. 

Rockaway^ Sabbath, 1810. 

MY DEAR, MY BELOVED ELIZA, 

I wrote you a few lines yesterday by Mr. B. 
I now propose to fulfil my promise. I expect an op- 
portunity to-morrow, or next day, for I saw a great 
many carriages pass this way to the tavern, as I suppose, 
from New-York. It is a common thing with some to 
come hither on Saturday, and return en Monday, to 
spend this blessed day in pastime. You would not, I 
know, exchange situations with them ; you would rather 
be suffering than sinning. 

It is your own observation, that God does all in wis- 
dom ; in his wisdom he is pleased to lengthen your 
day of affliction. Sin, my darling, is the cause of all 
suffering ; but it is not always the immediate cause. 
Beside particular chastisement for particular sins^ there 
are afflictions to be filled up in the body of Christ, (his 
church,) a measure of which, in kind and degree, is 
appointed, by unerring wisdom, to each individual 
member. Col. i. 24. These sufferings bear no part in 
atoning for sin, nor in redeeming our forfeited inherit- 
ance. Christ " trod the wine-press alone, and of the 
people there was none to help him. He was made Sin for 
us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righte- 
I ousness of God in him ; who, when he had by himself 
(purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the ma- 



360 LITE AND WRITINGS OF 

jesty on high." Heb. i. 3. Again, chapter x. 11. " And 
every Priest" (in the Levitical law) " standing daily mi- 
nistering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which 
can never take away sins. But this man, after he had 
offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down on the right 
hand of God : for, by one offering, he hath perfected for 
ever them that are sanctified, whereof the Holy Ghost is 
also a witness to us ; for, after he had said before," (see 
from verse 5,) " This is the covenant which I will make with 
them after those days, saith the Lord — I will put my laws 
into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them, and 
their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 
Now where remission of these is, there is no more offer- 
ing for sin." Paul says, the " Holy Ghost" is a Witness, 
because he copies from the ancient Scriptures the pro- 
phecies of Jeremiah, chap. xxxi. 31. and Ezek. xxxvi. 
25. and from the Psalms, lx. 7. Your mother will 
read to you also the 8th chapter of Hebrews, contain- 
ing the same things, the new covenant, in consequence 
of Christ, as the Surety of sinners, having made full 
atonement, magnified the law, and made it honourable ; 
therefore there is now no condemnation to them who 
are in Christ Jesus. It has pleased God, my darling, 
in the adorable plan of reconciling sinners to himself I 
by Jesus Christ, to perfect at once a justifying righte- f 
ousness for them, and to bestow it upon them as a free I 
gift. 4< This is the record, that God hath given to us eter- 
nal life, and this life is in his Son." 1 John, v. 1 1. Butl 
it has not pleased him to deliver us at once from de-| 
pravity : provision is made for final deliverance by thel 
same covenant, and effected by the same power, butl 
in this believers are called to work. It is evident froml 
Scripture, and the experience of Christians' answers fol 
it, that, in the hour of believing, they pass from deatl 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 361 

to life, considered as a state. This is the hour of the new 
birth — they then receive life for the time, and it is their 
privilege, by the constitution of the new covenant, to ask 
and receive, from day to day, grace to help in every 
time of need. To them, and not to the unregenerate, 
the exhortation is addressed ; u Work out your own salva- 
tion with fear and trembling ; for it is God who worketh 
in you both to will and to do, of his good pleasure." The 
means are of God's appointing, in the diligent use of 
which they go from strength to strength. The grand 
mean is faith in God's promises, of which there are 
very many in the Scripture. Believers are to put 
forth their own exertions, as the children of Israel were 
called to go out against their enemies, in the faith that 
God would give them victory, and lead them to the 
promised rest. The battle was the Lord's, and he 
fought for them ; but the means were, their exertions. 
Believers are God's workmanship ; but this work he 
carries on by exercising their natural powers, which he 
sanctifies to a different end from that to which they 
were formerly by their own spirit directed. Still the 
Scripture testifies, that " if any man say he has no sio, 
he deceives himself, and the truth is not in him ;" and, 
while sin remains, its consequence that is, suffering, 
must. The judgments of God, as the moral Governor 
of the world, are denounced against, and executed 
upon, the workers of iniquity. The children of God 
experience personal chastisements for personal sins, as 
a provision of the covenant. Psalm lxxxix. 30. And, 
if I mistake not, there are afflictions experienced by 
individuals, as members of Christ's body, in which God 
does not bring into view the personal sins of the suf- 
ferer. In this sense I read Paul's Epistle to the Co- 
lossians, i. 24.— " Who now rejoice in my sufferings, &n& 

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362 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

fill up that which is behind of the sufferings of Christ in 
my flesh, for his body's sake, which is the church. " 
1 Thess. iii. 3. " I sent Timotheus, to establish you, and 
to comfort you, concerning your faith, that no man should 
be moved by these afflictions, for yourselves know that we 
are appointed thereunto." Phil. ii. 7. " Yea, if I be of- 
fered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy 
and rejoice with you all ; for the same cause do ye joy 
and rejoice with me." 2 Cor. i. 6. " And whether we be 
afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation ; and 
whether we be comforted, it is for your salvation and con- 
solation." There is no conscious personal sin expressed 
iii these sufferings ; on the contrary, Paul says, (verse 
12,) " For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our con- 
science, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with 
fleshy wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our 
conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you- 
ward." 

Most of the prophets and the apostles suffered mar- 
tyrdom. They, indeed, sustained public characters ; 
but the beggar Lazarus, who, in addition to poverty, 
was full of sores, was carried by the angels from the rich 
man's gate to Abraham's bosom. And thousands and 
tens of thousands of redeemed and sanctified men 
have suffered lengthened martyrdom, and perished with 
hunger, in holes and caves of the earth, unknown in 
history, except in groups — unseen at the time except 
by the eye of the omniscient Jehovah, by whom the 
hairs of their head are numbered ; their tears are in his 
bottle ; nor shall one sigh nor one groan perish without 
its result. 

O, my Eliza, w r hat delightful wonders shall open to 
our view, when delivered from these prison-holds of 
earth ! 



MBS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 363 

I have finished one sheet, my dear Eliza ; I fear it is 
too much, and may prove too fatiguing, especially as there 
are many references requiring a stretch of attention. I 
have been reading the Epistle to the Hebrews, and you 
have naturally got my thoughts on part of it. 

I once heard you complain that you had made small 
progress in knowledge, in comparison of a young person 
that had just left you; but you checked yourself, and 
said, ' The Lord has given me faith, let me be thankful/ 
I at that time considered your departure as very near, 
and advised you to keep your eye fixed on Christ, as 
your Redeemer and Saviour, who had performed all 
things for you, and would perfect all that concerned 
you; and added, One hour in heaven will make you 
wiser than the most enlightened saint on earth. Since 
that, it has pleased your Lord to add many days to your 
life. He has mitigated your pain, and given you some 
intervals of ease and composure, and our dear Eliza 
has grown in that time. Should it please God to spare 
you for a yet longer season, and continue your intervals 
of ease, no subject can be so profitable ; and I hope your 
Lord will make it pleasant as that of the contents of the 
New Testament which your Saviour bequeathed to you, 
sealed and ratified in his blood. There is a vast variety 
of precious promises contained in the Scriptures of the 
Old and New Testament, which are all yours with 
Christ ; for, as a member of his body, " you are built 
upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus 
Christ himself being the chief corner-stone." And now 
I commend you to your own covenant God, who does and 
will support you, through life and through death, to that 
happy land, where we shall all meet ; and remember, 
" Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered 

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364 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

into the heart of man to conceive the things he hath 
prepared for them that love him." 

I am, with much love and affection, 
Yours, 

I. GRAHAM. 



TO MR. JAMES TODD, New-York. 

Rockaway, L, I. 
MY DEAR JAMES, 

This will probably be handed you by our 

mutual friend, Mrs. C . The thought of her being 

with you, makes me part with her with less reluctance. 
You have not been forgotten by either ; we have talked 
much of you, and have united in prayer to your and 
our God, that he may manifest himself unto you as 
your reconciled Father in Christ Jesus ! and give you 
" joy and peace in believing" — that he may give you 
patience in suffering, and entire resignation to his most 
holy will. It has, my dear young friend, been my ear- 
nest inquiry, especially of late years, standing on the 
brink of eternity, ' What is there within us, or without 
us, on which a sinner can rest in a dying hour V If it 
be a holy life, there is no peace for me. Taking the 
law of God for my rule, I find that backslider is my 
name ; yet peace I have found, and on the best security ; 
this blessed Bible is my charter. I have searched it 
with diligence and prayer, and my mind is confirmed 
in the following truths : — That the whole world is be- 
come guilty before God, and is under his wrath and 
curse on that account. This is our state ; a miserable 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 365 

state it is, and as hopeless as miserable, for any thing 
we can do for ourselves. But I read in this Bible to 
the full amount of the following conclusions— that in 
the counsel of the mysterious triune Jehovah, Jesus 
Christ, the second person of the incomprehensible 
Trinity, was sanctified, or set apart to become the Sa- 
viour of law-condemned sinners, to take their nature 
upon him, and to comply with the whole of the requi- 
sitions of the eternal immutable law of God, to become 
in every sense their Surety. Man is a rebel ; it is put 
to his account — a penalty is incurred ; he, as their 
Surety, is made liable. Are they again to be made 
heirs of eternal life ? Perfect obedience is the condi- 
tion, and of him, as their Surety, it is demanded. All 
this being fulfilled, sinners are become his property — 
he has paid their debts, fulfilled their duties, and 
merited for them eternal life, all in their own nature, as 
their Head and Representative: so that believers are 
complete in him. This is the righteousness of God, 
wrought out by Jesus Christ, in his own person, God- 
man, as their Surety, To this nothing of the believer's 
is to be added — with this nothing of his mixed ; it is 
for ever perfect ; entirely distinct from that holiness of 
heart and life which is wrought in him, in consequence 
of this. It is the believer's by pure imputation. God 
has declared himself well pleased with this righteous- 
ness, and that, being himself reconciled, he is in Christ 
Jesus reconciling sinners to him. Hence all the invi- 
tations scattered thick in the Old and New Testament, 
not only to the penitent, weary, and heavy-laden, but 
to the stout-hearted, the backslider, to them that are 
wearying themselves in their own way. " Ho ! every one 
that thirsteth ; whosoever will, let him come, and take of 
the water of life freely. " Hence all the promises an- 

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366 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

nexed to believing, accepting, receiving, trusting, rest- 
ing: Christ the Saviour is the object— the gift of God 
to sinners for all the above purposes. The Lord has 
convinced me that I have nothing in myself, on which I 
can rest ; my conscience echoes to his word in all that 
it asserts of my nature and my state : but this Saviour 
is provided for sinners exactly of this description. I 
am invited to put in my claim, I believe the record, I 
rest my salvation on his word ; God giveth to me 
eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Jesus calls me to 
look unto him, and be saved ; I do look unto him, and 
I am saved. He assures me that those who come unto 
him shall never be cast out ; I do go to him, and 
commit my sinful soul to his keeping ; I shall not be cast 
out. As many as receive the gift of his Son, receive 
at the same time power to become the children of God ; 
I do receive his gift, and lay claim to his promise. He 
is my reconciled Father, and I am his adopted child ; 
and he hath sent his Spirit into my heart, by which I 
can say, Abba, Father. I have, my dear James, taken 
this method of layiug before you the grounds of my 
own hope, because I think it the most simple method, 
and containing at the same time my counsel to you to 
lay hold on the same hope. The warrant is given us 
in God's own word, as sinners, without respect to fruit 
or any works of ours. I can, if necessary, give you 
chapter and verse, to the full amount ; but you have 
those about you who can give it you by little and little, 
as your weak state can bear it. This Gift is held out 
to the sinner's acceptance in many places of the word 
of God, and becomes the sinner's in the moment of 
believing. Provision is made by the same covenant for 
his sanctification ; but that makes no part of justifying 
righteousness. Christ is made of God unto him Wis- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 367 

dom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and complete Re- 
demption. Try, my precious young friend, to lay hold 
on this hope, and enter into the rest provided for the 
believer here. Stretch forth " the withered hand," the 
Lord himself will give you strength. Commit your 
precious soul into his hands, and rest assured that he 
will perfect all that concerns you — work all his work in 
you— -carry you safely through the Jordan of death, 
and put you in possession of the inheritance he has 
purchased for you. That all this shall be, is the prayer 
and firm hope of 

Your affectionate friend, 

ISABELLA GRAHAM. 



TO MRS. J. W— . 



Greemvick, 1814. 

J — , did not the dove, my dear, get into the ark 1 
Yes, Noah put out his hand, and pulled her in : both 
are types of Christ. He is the Ark of safety from the 
flood of wrath that must overwhelm unbelievers. 

I know not, my dear, the amount of that over which 
you mourn with so much agony ; I know not even if it 
be sinful, except in the circumstances ; you are con- 
scious of sincerity, and you do not now wish to draw 
back. We can, my dear, do nothing in our own 
strength ; no, not so much as think a good thought. 
To make any resolution without dependance on God 
for strength to perform, is sinful : to make any vow 
without a consciousness of our weakness and depend- 

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35S LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

ance on God for strength to perform, is an aggravation 
of the evil. I suppose my J. has sinned: what then ? 
k; If any man say he has no sin, he deceives himself, and 
the truth is not in him." And if you suppose that your 
sin in this is greater than many other sins, with their 
aggravations, you judge wrong. I think that any one 
deliberate sin wilfully committed, with the knowledge 
that it is sin, is greater than yours in such circum- 
stances. You are bound by your vow, and God will 
enable you to perform it. Turn, my dear, to the 2d 
chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, where Peter 
preaches to the very murderers of our blessed Saviour, 
and charges the guilt upon them : verse 22d, and again 
in verse 26th, " Therefore, let all the house of Israel 
know assuredly, that this same Jesus whom ye crucified, 
God hath made both Lord and Christ : and when they 
heard this they were pricked in their hearts. " Read on, 
my dear : Peter exhorts even them to repent, and be 
baptized in the name of Christ, for the remission of 
sins. I make no doubt but many have made vows in a 
rash manner ; but, so far as I know, you have vowed 
only to serve the Lord : this you are bound to do, with 
or without a vow; and if the Lord make this vow the 
means of keeping you watchful, and humble, and firm, 
in avoiding what you have vowed against, it will, by 
his overruling Spirit, prove a blessing. ' You do not 
know where to look for comfort V To Jesus, my dear ; 
not to yourself, not to any creature. " Look unto me, 
and be saved, all the ends of the earth : for I am God, 
and there is none else." Isaiah, xlv. 22. " O Israel, thou 
hast destroyed thyself, but in me is thy help." Hosea, 
xiii. 9. and chapter xiv. Take a view, my dear, of the 
character of God in his dealing with his perverse Israel, 
after they had made the molten calf, and otherwise 



MBS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 369 

sinned grievously against God. He, at the intercession 
of Moses, forgave their sin, and proclaimed that won- 
derful name which to this day is the encouragement of 
convinced sinners, and mine in particular. Exodus, 
xxxiv. 5. And the Lord passed by him, (Moses,) and 
proclaimed, " The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and 
gracious, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, 
keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, trans- 
gression, and sin." And how can God do this, whose 
law is, as himself, immutable ; and who adds, " that he 
will by no means clear the guilty J" \ Look now to the 53d 
chapter of Isaiah, where you will find your Redeemer 
standing in your room and stead. In the 30th chapter 
is another amazing display of God's forgiveness. The 
prophet begins the chapter with, u Wo to the rebellious 
children ;" and lays grievous things to their charge, till 
you come to the ISth verse, where he says, " Therefore 
will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious to you ; 
therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy 
upon you : for the Lord is a God of judgment ; blessed are 
all they that wai for him." Once more look at the procla- 
mation, Jeremiah, iii, 12. God has provided a Sacrifice 
of sufficient value to atone for our most aggravated trans- 
gressions ; and a righteousness answerable to the utmost 
extent of his holy law. Both are made over to the 
sinner by free gift 2 Cor. v. 21. " He hath made him 
to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be 
made the righteousness of God in him f he, our Surety, 
having fulfilled all righteousness for us, as our Surety 
and Representative. 

You fear that it is not the hand of the Lord tha,t is 
upon you. I do think that it is, my J — . It is the 
peculiar office of the Spirit to convince of sin: and I 
do think that he is at this time dealing with your souL 

B 5 



370 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

But why look so much at your vow ? You have sinned, 
my J — , in heart, lip, and life. "Thou shalt love the 
Lord thy God with all thy heart." O my J — , what 
prostituted affections, what mis- spent time ! While God 
says, " Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, 
do all to the glory of God." What self-indulgence, and 
self-will, instead of self-denial 1 Listen to the voice of 
convictions ; listen to it as the voice of mercy, leading 
you to Christ, the great propitiatory Sacrifice, the "Lamb 
of God which taketh away the sins of the world." Go to 
Christ, my dear, as a sinner ; tell him that you commit 
your sinful soul into his hands. Say, c Thou hast bid me 
look unto thee, and be saved. Saviour, I do look unto 
thee for salvation. Wash me in thy blood, clothe me in 
thy righteousness : sanctify me by thy grace : accept of 
me as thy pardoned, saved child ; and be Surety for me 
for good : that, having vowed to thee that I would be thy 
servant, I may perform my vow ; furnish me with both 
will and power to devote myself to thee every day of my 
life/ Try, my dear, to rest on Christ ; put your trust 
in him ; if you do, he will not disappoint you : as your 
faith, so shall it be unto you. Now, faith is a saving 
grace : thereby we receive, and rest upon, Christ for 
salvation, as he is offered to us In the Gospel. Do as 
you have said ; wait his appointed time, in the use of 
means, till he manifest himself to you. I am hurried 
for time to get this to town. Farewell. I will pray 
for you. 

I. G. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 371 

TO DR. H. M— , Rothsay, Bute. 

November 11, 179 0, 

MY BEAR BROTHER, 

Before this reaches you, the public papers will 
have informed you of the desolation of New- York, by 
the yellow-fever. We are among the escaped ; and 
there are no breaches in the family. My health, and 
that of the family, made the country necessary to us at 
any rate, and we had left town previously to its becoming 
general : but Mr. B — kept in the city, only sleeping 
in the country, till forty-five were carried off in a night. 
The inhabitants abandoned the city in crowds, spreading 
over the adjacent countries ; in Long-Island, Jersey, and 
New-York, for sixty miles round. In the most busy 
trading streets, a person might have walked half a 
mile without meeting an individual, or seeing an open 
house, or shop. Eleven physicians and surgeons fell 
sacrifices to it ; five of them men of eminence ; several 
were confined by mere fatigue, and had to retire to rest 
relieving others when recruited. Dr. B — , one of our 
eldest, and most eminent, physicians, who had retired 
from business two years ago, and lived on his estate in 
the country, hearing of the distress of his brethren, 
and the impossibility of their answering all the calls of 
the sick and dying, left his retreat, returned to town, 
and slaved to the last. His affectionate wife would not 
be left behind, but determined to share or witness his 
fate. It has pleased God to preserve them both. 
Notwithstanding the general flight, the mortality among 
those that remained was so great, that for three week?, 

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372 LIFE AND WRITINGS Of 

from 48 to 54 died every 24 hours ! This was no vague 
report, but that of the physicians, and published in the 
daily newspapers. The churches were shut up, except 
those which stood out of danger. Great numbers car- 
ried the infection with them to the country, as far as 
60 and SO miles, and died there : almost every one that 
took it in the country died, having no proper medical 
assistance ; I do not remember of one that recovered : 
many did in the city, and in the hospitals. Some died 
without getting sight of a doctor, some, alone, de- 
serted by every creature. The coffins were ready 
made, the graves ready dug, and the minute the last 
breath was fetched, they were buried with the utmost 
despatch. Many widows had to put their own husbands 
in the coffin, with the assistance of the maker ; and 
often, very often, there was not a creature at the burial, 
but the man that drove the hearse, who assisted the 
sexton to put the body under the ground. I myself 
met a hearse, followed by three well-dressed females, 
not a man but the driver. Long before this, your 
heart has asked, What became of the poor ? Wonders 
were done for them ; yet many suffered for want of 
cursing. A number of humane men formed them- 
selves into a society, sought them out, and ministered 
relief from the public funds. Two cooks' shops in 
different quarters of the city prepared soup, meat, vege- 
tables, and bread. A committee sat in the alms-house 
every day, from nine to one o'clock, tb receive such 
reports or applications as might be made to them, either 
by, or in behalf of, the sick or poor; and they were 
visited, and nurses and medical attendance provided by 
the public, as well as every species of necessaries ; but, 
alas ! nurses were not to be had ; doctors could be at only 
©Tve place at a time. When speaking of the poor, I 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 37$ 

omitted mentioning the large donations which were sent 
from both town and country, to the committee : — flour, 
meal, fowls, sheep, vegetables, money, and clothes. One 
of the members of this Society told me that there was a 
plentiful supply ; and temporary hospitals, and other 
buildings, were erected for the reception of the sick and 
recovering ; every thing that could be done was done to 
soften the calamity. 

I am obliged to stop abruptly. Love to all with you. 

Yours ever, 

I. GRAHAM. 



TO THE SAME. 



New- York, March 3, 1S0O. 
Here comes a letter of wo from my dear brother, 
on a subject almost already forgotten in New- York, 
the yellow-fever. Strange as it may seem, the disease, 
and all that it carried off, seem entirely out of mind. 
No mention made of the past, no apprehensions are 
entertained for the future. Country retreats are mul- 
tiplying around, and people appear as if they had made 
a covenant with death. Potter's field is filled with our 
principal citizens ; the prison, and prison limits, with 
many of the survivors. The rest are feasting , dancing, 
and revelling, or weeping over feigned wo in the 
theatre. A few escaped, who have fled for refuge to 
the hope set before them ; whose eyes have been 
opened to discern the danger, and accept the offered 
Saviour ; among which number, I dare, through grace, 
reckon your sister and her children. u Bless the Lord, 
O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." The city, 
(indeed, the United States,) have been swallowed up 



374 UPE AND WRITINGS OF 

in the loss of Washington. The utmost stretch of human 
eloquence has been called forth in panegyric. His 
eulogium has been sounded in every possible mode — 
not excepting our pulpits. The 22d of February, his 
birth-day was set apart to his memory. Two of our 
ministers were appointed to pronounce an eulogium on 
his character ; one of whom was Dr. Mason, the other 
Dr. Linn. The last 1 admired ; it had its due influence 
over me ; but of my own minister, I could form no 
judgment ; the church, the pulpit, the man, the words, 
seemed so connected with the Lord Jesus Christ, his 
favourite theme, I could not realize the mere orator. 
Great things were said of Washington, and they were 
due. The Lord himself called him by name, girded 
him, subdued great armies before him with handsful, 
like Gideon. He gave him wisdom in council, and 
prudence in executing justice. A nation blessed him 
while he lived, and with all the power of language 
Lamented his death. Ah, human depravity, how striking ! 
Bursting with gratitude to a creature — with enmity to 
a Saviour God ; to God " who so loved the world, that 
he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth 
on him should not perish, but have everlasting lite. 
And to as many as receive him, to them gives he power 
to become the sons of God," by putting his Spirit within 
them, and causing them to love, and walk in, his sta- 
tutes. But, alas ! the carnal, unrenewed mind is en- 
mity against God and his Christ. O that men were 
wise, and could see their disease, and the remedy ! 
What misery is in the world at this day ! It is only 
equalled by the wickedness. How does potsherd dash 
against potsherd, mutually destroying each other! How 
consoling to the Christian, that " the Lord reigns ! 
The Lord sits king among the nations," even our own 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 375 

Jesus, u Head over all principalities, and powers, and 
dominions, and every name that is named in heaven and 
in earth :" all these shakings, turnings, and overturnings, 
shall prove subservient to the real prosperity of his 
church. Great things are on the wheel ! Soon shall 
the righteous shine forth as the sun in the firmament. 
There appears also to be a shaking in the church. I 
hear strange things from Edinburgh, of which I can 
form no judgment — men going to reverse the Scripture 
order of the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery ; 
yet preaching with purity, with zeal, " the faith once 
delivered unto the saints," and the Lord working by them 
in turning many to himself — the regular bred, licensed, 
and ordained ministers, leaving their flocks, and going 
with these others. What can this be ? Where can it 
end ? Can the Redeemer's kingdom be divided against 
itself? It may seem so for a time, through in-dwelling 
corruption, and outward temptation suited to the times ; 
still the kingdom of Christ is one — one body ; the Lord 
shall chasten, purge, heal and unite, till all shall be 
one stick in his hand. Amen. Lord, do as thou hast 
promised. 

I wrote you a sketch of our Widows' Society. I 
send you a Constitution. We are all on foot ; the 
mothers healthy, the children thriving. I hope you 
can give the same account of yours. Love to all your 
dear friends. 



Yours ever, 



I. GRAHAM, 



376 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

TO DR. MARSHALL 



New York, April 24, 1S02. 
After a year's silence I have a letter from my dear 
brother. What I have suffered, He only knows, who 
knoweth all things. I am too happy to know that you 
live, and that your dear family ,are in a measure of 
health. The sweet Isabella has disappointed your 
fears, and lives. My dear brother seems the most 
afflicted for the present, and adds to present suffering, 
cares for futurity, to which he is not entitled. O, my 
brother, has God given his Son to be a suffering Sub- 
stitute in the room of sinners, and shall he not with him 
give all things necessary for life and godliness ? O, my 
dear brother, you have, 1 think, taken hold of God's 
covenant : the style of your last, and of several of your 
former letters, seems to intimate this to be your desire. 
God is by Christ reconciling the world to himself. 
By the constitution of that covenant, transacted in 
heaven, and executed in our world, the purchase-price 
is paid, a finished salvation provided, and ready to be 
bestowed, upon no harder terms than the sinner's ac- 
ceptance — its blessings are free. This is the record, 
that God giveth to us eternal life, and this life is in his 
Son. God so loved a lost world, " that he gave his only 
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not 
perish, but have everlasting life." Now, my brother, if 
God has inclined your heart to seek an interest in that 
salvation which he himself has provided for sinners, 
you have received in part ; for the subduing of the 
heart is God's work. , God has appointed means by 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 377 

which we are called to be engaged: but the success 
of these depends on his blessing. That we can do 
nothing of ourselves is no discouragement, while he has 
not only promised, but commanded and promised ; 
4 Ask, that ye may receive — seek, that ye may find — 
and knock that it may be opened unto you ; for every 
one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth, 
and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.' This 
salvation is all of God's providing. The subjects of it 
are ruined, lost, rebellious, ungodly sinners, under the 
sentence of condemnation. The substance of it is a 
perfect, complete surety-righteousness wrought out in 
the person of Christ, and transferred to, imputed to, 
made over to, the sinner as his own, as fully, as 
completely, as if he had wrought it out in his own 
person. When the sinner accepts of this as the gift 
of God to him — rests his soul upon God's promise 
that he shall have eternal life, he becomes accord- 
ing to the order of God's covenant, an adopted son. 
It is no presumption to call God his reconciled Father, 
and to lay claim to all the promises in the Old and 
New Testament as his own. It is his duty to cultivate 
confidence in God, to call him his Father, his own 
reconciled Father in Christ Jesus ; who is, according 
to his own appointment, Mediator, Peace-Maker, Re- 
deemer; and the Holy Ghost, by the same appointment 
and order — the Lord, the Sanctifier. Whenever the 
sinner considers himself as reconciled, by dwelling upon 
his happy deliverance, his escape, his blessed situation, 
and prospects ; by viewing the grace by which he is 
delivered, and his obligations to his deliverer, he be- 
comes grateful: according to the order of this same 
well-ordered covenant, he receives favour to become 
the child of God. John, 1st chapter, u To as many as 



37S LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

received him, gave he power to become the sons of God ; 
even to them who believe on his name." It is the finished 
righteousness of our blessed Surety that redeems us 
from hell and death, and gives us a title to eternal life ; 
but our comfortable views of this, our steadfast hopes, 
our higher or lower attainments in the divine life, our 
God has made, in some measure, conditional. If we 
make a bold, full profession — if we are diligent in the 
use of means — if we cultivate communion with God, 
by reading, meditation, and prayer, we are likely to 
become rich in faith, and holy in heart, life, and con- 
versation. But if we, through shame, and the fear of 
contempt, conform too much to the world — be timid, 
sneaking Christians, ashamed of God's method of salva- 
tion, and covering our Christian motives under the cloak 
of philosophy, and benevolence, &c, we need not be 
surprised, if the Lord deny us the testimony of his 
Spirit, witnessing with our own heart that we are born 
of God ; or if, through indolence, or love of the world, 
we neglect prayer, reading, meditation — the means of 
conversing with God, we need not be surprised, if we 
are cold and languid, afraid of death, afraid of a thou- 
sand evils which the Lord may permit to haunt us : if 
we have little enjoyment in religion, and much chas- 
tisement and affliction. Some Christians are saved, so 
as by fire ; some reach the haven through mists, storms, 
tempests, without the cheerful sun, and arrive safe, 
through the merits of that Redeemer, who never failed 
one that hung upon him ; but they arrive like a poor 
shattered bark, that has hardly escaped shipwreck : 
others go through this world doing the will of God, 
and suffering the will of God — fighting against corrup- 
tion within, and temptation without, on faith and full 
confidence that they have grace to help in every time 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 379 

of need. They ask, and they receive : they fall often 
when unwatchful, but they rise again, and renew the 
fight, having an Advocate with the Father, and a mer- 
ciful High Priest, who is touched with the feeling of their 
infirmities. They confess, ask forgiveness, believe that 
they are forgiven, still hold fast their confidence; the 
Lord whose prerogative it is to bring good out of evil, 
making their very failures the means of more steadfast 
walking, by making them more humble, more dependant, 
more watchful, more prayerful. At length they over- 
come, and have an abundant entrance into the kingdom 
of their Lord and Saviour. Like a stately ship in full 
sail, with wind and tide, they enter the haven of eternal 
rest. 

O, my brother, be not a Christian by halves — believe 
confidently, join the Lord's people fully and openly — 
watch, pray, fight against corruption within, and tempta- 
tion without; ask, and believe, and you shall receive 
needful grace — go up through the wilderness, leaning on 
your Beloved ; casting all your care on him who hath 
promised to care for you, and to make all things work 
together for your good. He has said, u Leave your fa- 
therless children ; I will preserve them alive, and let 
your widows trust in me." He is the Father of the fa- 
therless, the Husband of the widow, the stranger's Shield, 
and the orphan's Stay ; take hold of this promise, ensure 
it by trusting in it ; for wherever there is a promise held 
up to our faith, according to our faith shall it be. I 
think I mentioned, in a former letter, that it had pleased 
the Lord to take to himself dear little Isabella Smith, 
one of the loveliest, sweetest babes I ever beheld. The 
stroke was severely felt, but resignation was given. She 
is not lost, but gone before, with many others dear to us. 
It will be but a little while, my brother, till we shall all 



380 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

have done with every thing here. O, let us dwell upon 
the purchased inheritance, and get above this vain, empty, 
insnaring world. Let us try to lay aside every weight; 
and as every one has some besetting sin, and that often 
the least known to himself, let us search it out, and pray 
that it may be realized, that we may put a mark upon* 
our besetting sin, and a double watch, that we may be 
able to lay it aside, and to " run with patience the race 
that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, who for the joy 
set before him, endured the cross, despised the shame, 
and is now sat down at the right hand of God," where 
he rules over all, for the good of his people, who shall 
soon follow him, and be made partakers of his blessed- 
ness. 

Give my love to my dear sister, and Agnes, and all the 
young ones. 

Farewell ! I am ever your affectionate sister, 

I. GRAHAM. 



TO MRS. MARSHALL. 



Mount Harmony, May 21, 1802. 

MY DEAR SISTER, 

I have just received my brother's letter and 
yours. Sorry, sorry am I to find my dear brother in 
such a broken state of health. I say, I am sorry— flesh 
and blood are so : for no affliction for the present is joy- 
ous, but grievous ; and I love my dear brother with a very 
tender affection. But there is a better principle which says, 
H The will of the Lord be done — Good is the will of the 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 381 

Lord," The Lord hath said, " I will bring you into the 
wilderness, and there will I plead with you — I will bring 
you within the bond of ray covenant, and ye shall be mine, 
saith the Lord." O how good ! I desire to bless God 
for all my mercies ; but in my present view, (next to the 
gift of his Son, and eternal life,) my afflictions have 
proved the greatest. So it may prove with my dear 
brother. You have seen a good deal of affliction in your 
family : but a little time will show you that you could 
not have been well without it. I have had my share 
appointed me by my own Father. I felt it at the time bit- 
ter: yet even then not altogether so, for my mourning days 
have been my best days through life ; even they are most 
comfortable proofs of our Father's love ; * Of all my 
blessings, stands this the highest that my heart has bled.' 
I bless God that my dear children are all in his cove- 
nant ; that all comes to them from a Father's hand, 
through the channel of the covenant. I experience the 
same kind of exercise with regard to your family ; you 
are both of the seed of the righteous — the children of 
many prayers. Rest in the Lord, my dear sister and 
brother : receive all as coming directly from him. 

Love to your dear children. May the Lord himself 
educate them for his own kingdom. 

Yours ever, 

I. GRAHAM. 



382 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

A Letter from Viscountess Glenorchy to Mrs. Graham, 
alluded to in her Life, page 25. 



Barnton, December 27, 1781. 

DEAR MADAM, 

I received your letter last week, and also one 
some time ago from Mrs. Walker, in which she desired 
me to send you my sentiments upon the alteration you 
had made, and still thought of making, upon your plan. 

I have since endeavoured to consider, with all the 
attention of which I am at present capable, the argu- 
ments that may be brought on both sides of the question ; 
and with regard to the first point, viz., the practisings, 
I w r ill frankly own, that, could you send your young 
ladies to one where girls only are admitted, I should 
more readily yield my opinion of the matter to those 
Christians who have advised you to it. But, as I learn 
that it is a promiscuous dance of boys and girls, I must, 
in conscience, say, that I look upon such a meeting as 
equally pernicious in its effects upon the minds of 
young people, as balls and public assemblies on persons 
of riper years. When you mentioned the subject to me 
first, I thought it had been a practising of girls only ; 
else should then have given you my sentiments fully upon 
the head. 

As to the reading of plays, or any part of them, to 
your young people, I must own, it does not appear to 
me to be expedient: it may be productive of bad con- 
sequences, and the good arising from it, is (at most) 
uncertain. It is, no doubt, very desirable to enlarge 
young people's minds, and improve their taste, as well 
as their persons : but such is the state of things in this 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 383 

world, that, to attain this, to the degree wished for by 
every person of refined taste, some things must be 
sacrificed of much greater value — for example, a girl 
cannot acquire the smart, polished air of a person of 
fashion, without imbibing too much of the spirit of the 
world. Vanity and emulation must be awakened and 
cultivated in the heart, before she will apply herself 
with diligence to outward accomplishments ; neither can 
her mind and taste be much improved in 'polite literature, 
without losing its relish for simple truth. I grant you, 
there are a few Christians in the world, who have 
acquired the outward accomplishments of it ; and have 
by grace, been enabled to turn these to good account ; 
who, like the Israelites, having spoiled the Egyptians, 
have made use of their jewels in adorning the tabernacle: 
but this can never serve as an argument on your side 
of the question. If the Lord sees fit to manifest his 
power and grace, by plucking a brand from the burning ; 
this is no reason why children should be initiated into 
the ways of sin and folly, in hopes that some time or 
other He will bring them out. We are never to do evil, 
that good may come ; and this brings the question to a 
short issue. 

Do you think it lawful for Christians to attend public 
places, or to spend their time in reading plays ? Do you 
think these things tend, either immediately or remotely, 
to promote the glory of God ? If you do not, I cannot 
see how you, as a Christian, can have any hand in intro- 
ducing young ladies to the one, or in giving them a taste 
for the other. 

This, dear Madam, is my view of the matter : but I 
do not wish you to walk by my light. I believe that 
all the children of God are taught by him, and ought to 
follow the dictates of their own consciences : I therefore 



384 



LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 



pretend not to advise you, but shall endeavour to pray 
that the great unerring Counsellor may give you divine 
wisdom to be your teacher, to lead you into all truth, 
and to keep you from every thing inconsistent with his 
holy will. 

I have met with so many interruptions since I began 
this letter, that I fear it is hardly intelligible. I shall be 
sorry if I have said any thing that gives you uneasiness : 
your spirits seem low, and your business not going so 
well as could be wished : perhaps I ought rather to have 
employed my pen in the way of consolation and encou- 
ragement, than by throwing in matter of perplexity. 
— Sure I am, I do not mean to add affliction to the 
afflicted ; but, rather have been impelled, from a regard 
to truth, to write my real sentiments, as you desired. 
Your friend and humble servant, 

W. GLENORCHY. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 385 



ADDRESSES. 



To the Society for the Relief of Poor Widows with Small 
Children, in April, 1800. 



Ladies, 

With pleasure we, your Board, again meet this 
benevolent Society. With pleasure we announce the 
success of the Institution— its funds, its usefulness, and 
its respectability increase. We have on the books two 
hundred and seventy-four annual subscribers, thirty-nine 
more than at last meeting. 

The Treasurer has received three hundred and thirty 
dollars from ladies, in donations ; and from gentlemen, 
six hundred and seventeen dollars, nearly double what 
they gave us last year. Your managers have expended 
eight hundred and twenty dollars since the last meet- 
ing—not quite five months. Perhaps this may surprise 
you, but there was no avoiding it. Though the winter 
has been mild, and the price of wood moderate, the 
wants of the poor have been more pressing than in former 
years. We have on our books one hundred and forty- 
two widows, with four hundred and six children below 
twelve years of age, by far the greater part below six ; 
besides many boys bound apprentices, for whom their 
mothers must wash, mend, and provide, in part, cloth- 
ing. Though the sum expended appears great, you 
will find, on calculation, that it is not quite six dollars 
to each family : yet, by prudent management, giving it 
to them by little and little, and in things nourishing, yet 

s 



SS6 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

cheap, it went further than twice the sum given in 
money, and at once. Besides, in cordials for the sick, 
and exigencies of different kinds, your Managers have 
begged, and contributed, (I speak within bounds when 
I say it,) to the amount of two hundred dollars more. 
Most of our widows have to learn economy from neces- 
sity ; in the days of their husbands they lived not only 
plentifully, but luxuriously. Every class of mechanics 
in New -York could live well, and lay up for their 
families were they frugal ; but the reverse of this is the 
case — the evil is general, and, I fear, not to be cured. 
The change to their widows greatly aggravates their 
misery ; well may they read their sin in their punish- 
ment, when meagre want overtakes them. But God 
forgives, and so ought we. We, who have so much to 
be forgiven, have yet our necessaries, our comforts, and 
even our luxuries, spared. To us, our comfortable 
dwellings, cheerful fires, and convivial parties, give to 
w r inter its charms. Alas, for her ! the new-made 
widow, to whom all these are lost for ever — to her, the 
approach of winter is as the approach of death. Accus- 
tomed to spread the board by a cheerful fireside, to 
welcome the companion of her heart from the labours of 
the day, to bless and share the social meal, provided by 
his industry, drest with neatness and ingenuity, ren- 
dered agreeable by health and appetite, and heightened 
in its relish by mutual love ! The witty sayings of the 
prattlers are repeated, and the news of the household 
exchanged for the news of the city. The little ones 
too have their share ; they tell the father the exploits 
of the day ; he forgets his fatigue, and dandles them 
by turns on his knee, while the mother's moistened 
eyes glisten with pleasure. Alas ! the change ! — Hus- 
band, father, support, provider, gone for ever! The 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 387 

setting sun, the succeeding twilight, the rattling cars, 
the train of labourers announce the approach of evening, 
when many boards are spread, many husbands return 
to bless their families ; scarcely can she believe that he 
is not in the crowd ; fain would she persuade herself that 
she has been in a dream ; fain would she fancy that 
yonder is he. Darkness pervades the earth ; the neigh- 
bouring doors shut in the happy families ; the beaming 
fires illumine the windows. Back she staggers to her 
dreary dwelling, and wakes to all the realities of her 
widowed state. The once cheerful chimney scarcely 
emits a taper blaze. Her children cry for bread, but 
her empty pantry affords it not. Tired nature soon 
brings them relief — they sleep — they forget. Not so the 
widowed heart ; busy cruel memory calls back, and 
doubles her departed joys; comparison doubles also 
her present misery ; every avenue to hope is shut. Her 
big swollen heart would burst its narrow bounds, but 
for a gush of tears, in mercy sent to give it vent. 
The deep- fetched sobs wring out the big round drops 
in blest profusion, till glutted with grief, she sinks 
among her babes. Time, that sorrow-healing balm, 
softens at length the pungency of wo. The sympa- 
thizing rei^hbours, the unrestrained complaint and tears, 
render her situation familiar ; the wants of her children 
urge her to exertion for their support. Some sister- 
widow, pensioner on your bounty, consoles her with 
the new hat many benevolent hearts have united their 
efforts t lieve wants like hers. Hope steals in — 
she listens—is comforted, plans schemes of industry, 
and exei herself to become father and mother to her 
orphans 

Mam such, dear Ladies, have eaten of your bread, 
been warmed from your wood-yard, clothed from your 

S 2 " 



388 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

web— in sickness revived by your cordials, consoled 
and soothed by your Managers. Blessed office ! They 
are your agents, Ladies ; they are also the agents of 
your God, by whose ministration he is the Father of 
the fatherless, the Husband of the widow, the stranger's 
Shield, and orphan's Stay. Blessed, indeed, is he who 
considereth the poor ; the Lord will deliver him in time 
of trouble ; the Lord will preserve and keep him alive, 
he shall be blessed upon the earth ; the Lord will 
strengthen him on the bed of languishing, and make all 
his bed in sickness. Blessed are they who consider the 
poor, who devise liberal things. But more blessed 
still, ye, who, like the good Samaritan, bind up their 
wounds, pour the oil and wine of consolation into their 
bursting hearts, bring them to your homes, and share 
their griefs with them, — who are eyes to the blind, feet 
to the lame, and make the widow's heart to sing for 
joy ! May the blessing of them who are ready to perish 
come upon you ; may your persons be accepted in 
Christ ; then shall a reward of grace accompany and 
follow your labours of love. May you be blessed in your 
basket, and blessed in your store — blessed in your 
going out, and blessed in your coming in — blessed in 
life — blessed in death ; and through Christ the Purchaser, 
blessed with the inheritance of his saints, through 
eternity. 



TO THE SAME. 

April, 1S0G. 
It is with increasing pleasure, Ladies, that we come 
forward year after year, and report that the Society 
prospers. In funds, in respectability, and, most of all, 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 389 

in usefulness, it continues to advance, spreading wider 
and wider its salutary influence. Could we only re- 
peat this year, as formerly, that the hungry are fed, 
the naked clothed, the sick nursed, provided with 
medicine and cordials, it were great, considering that 
the late epidemic has nearly doubled the objects of the 
Society's bounty ; greatly embarrassed their circum- 
stances, and left many of them in a debilitated state, 
little able for labour. There are now on the Society's 
books two hundred and one widows, with numerous 
families. 

The managers have provided meal, wood, flannel, 
shoes ; giving nothing to those in health but neces- 
saries ; to the sick, meat, fuel, tea, sugar, and choco- 
late, wine and porte?\ by order of the attending physi- 
cian, two thousand four hundred and fifty-eight dollars, 
thirty cents ; besides very much for the sick from their 
own pantries, having it cooked in their own kitchens ; 
and, in many instances, giving daily personal attend- 
ance. 

In the months of January and February, employment 
entirely failed them ; many came forward at that time, 
who had not asked that in charity, which labour could 
procure. 

The Secretary has informed you what was then done 
for their relief. Quantities of flax were given out, at the 
same time, that the Ladies exerted themselves to procure 
work ; yet in little more than a month, all was cut and 
made up: the committee were obliged to extend the 
sum considerably. 

The winter is now passed ; their humble dwellings, 
though long threatened, are not dismantled ; their few 
necessaries, and some remnants of happier days, bright 
and clean, are still in their possession ; cheerful spring 

S 3 



390 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

opens upon them ; trade begins to stir, and a gleam of 
hope breaks through the gloom, that they and their 
infants may yet eat their morsels at their own firesides. 
Home! Who can tell the full import of that word ! Will 
not the recollection, that you have been instrumental in 
preserving a home to these, sweeten your every comfort, 
and soothe your heavy hours. 

Besides the general and particular good done in the 
dispensation of the Society's bounty, much misery has 
been softened through the medium of its members, where, 
by its constitution, there could be no claim on its funds : 
a few facts will prove my assertion. An unfortunate 
French lady, who, with one infant, had escaped the last 
massacre at St. Domingo, was brought to New- York, 
and placed by the captain of the vessel, in a low 
boarding-house. She had been nine weeks in this city, 
unknown and unknowing ; had sold some valuable trinkets, 
and pawned her watch, to pay her board ; when she was 
found by one of the Managers of this Society. Mrs. 
Hoffman visited her, and, by means of her numerous 
acquaintance, sought out her countrymen, ascertained 
her history, character, and circumstances, and raised by 
subscription two hundred dollars ; furnished her with 
decent clothing suitable to the climate, and she is now in 
a comfortable situation. 

On every hand, and all around, groans human misery ; 
and Hope, the last to desert the wretched, points from 
every quarter her votaries to this society. 

Mrs. C — , a person of most interesting character, 
and of superior mind, not only an unfortunate, but an 
injured, person, without hopes of redress, broken in 
spirits, and broken in health — was reduced, with her 
only child, to seek an asylum in the Aims-House ; her 
story was related to this Society, Mrs. Hammond, one 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 391 

of the Managers, took her into her own familv, and 
nursed her with the greatest tenderness for many weeks ; 
but health did not return. Her only chance for life was 
her native air, (Ireland) and she had there relations 
capable of supporting her. Mrs. R — , another of the 
Society's Managers, set her face to the arduous task of 
raising a subscription to defray her expenses home. She 
succeeded, not only to procure a passage for her and her 
child, but in the cabin, furnished with every necessary, 
and even with delicacies. 

Mrs. R — , one of the Society's widows, and her 
daughter, were ill of the yellow fever at the same time, 
in the same room, and in the same bed : the girl died, 
and, by the rude hands of the hearse-driver, was put 
in a coffin before the mother's eye, and carried cut. 
The mother became distracted to that degree, that 
she was obliged to be carried to the hospital, and 
confined in one of the cells. While in her own house, 
every effort had been made to alleviate her distress, 
and restore her. She was now given up to another 
Benevolent Society, where to intrude might be deemed 
improper. Was she then deserted ? Did no friendly 
voice salute her ear in her solitary cell ? Was no 
attempt made to turn her visionary flights of despair 
into the soothing channel of hope ? Yes, Ladies, yes , 
Mrs. S — , her neighbour, acted in concert with Mrs. 
Mills, her Manager, and visited her often ; both exerted 
their utmost ingenuity to prepare for her clothing of 
such a texture and make, as should elude her attempts 
to tear them. The last time I saw her was in the 
month of December ; the ground was covered with 
snow, and the air was piercing cold. When the keeper 
opened the door of her cell, I held out my hand — but 
such a hand grasped mine — that clay will not be colder, 

S 4 



3$2 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

when laid on its last bed. She flew past me to the 
fire; urged by instinct, though deserted by reason. She 
asked Mrs. S — for her dead child, and begged she 
would take her home to live in her yard. But it is 
not necessary thus to harrow up your feelings. I left 
her, convinced that she could never recover there, and 
without a hope of bettering her situation. Not so, the 
dear Ladies I have named ; they rested not until they 
had provided a place, a nurse to attend her, and every 
comfort her situation could admit of. She had been 
five weeks in the Hospital, when she was removed ; 
fifteen weeks she was at private board ; during which 
time she recovered daily. She is now at her own home, 
in the bosom of her family, perfectly restored to reason, 
and recovering health daily. 

Let us now turn to a brighter scene ; for the God of 
providence has not withheld from us our pleasant things. 
Every year he opens some new channel of usefulness, 
and hearts expand to embrace the opportunity. The 
Society has always been industrious in filling up every 
vacancy in the different Charity Schools, and has a 
great number provided among them, whose parents were 
members of no church ; still a very great number remained 
without the means of education. Idleness is the mother 
of vice, and the Society had reason to apprehend, and 
indeed to observe, that many were already initiated ; 
and to fear that many more would, before its funds 
were in a situation to prevent it. But our gracious 
God, who has well verified his promise, " Ask and ye 
shall receive/' appeared in this also ; and our dear 
Mrs. Hoffman, whose labours, this winter, have been 
indefatigable, was made the honoured instrument. She 
collected seventy dollars for the express purpose of 
supporting a school : and, emboldened by this unre- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 393 

mitting success, and presuming on the continued bene- 
faction of the public, the Society placed twenty-two 
children at school, fourteen with Mrs. L — , and eight with 
Mrs. C — . They are both the Society's widows, so that a 
double end is gained. 

Some members of the Society, conversing on the 
subject, were expressing their thankfulness for this 
provision, indulging their hopes, and sometimes their 
fears, respecting those still unprovided for, when a 
young Lady in the company made the following pro- 
posal, That herself, and as many more as should find 
their hearts so disposed, should associate for the purpose 
of teaching a select number of little girls, a certain 
number of hours every forenoon. The patroness of the 
school was fired with zeal, and remitted not her exertions 
till she had obtained the end. On Saturday, the 
17th of February, thirty young Ladies had given in 
their names, and met Mrs. Hoffman and myself at Mr 
Ogden Hoffman's, Wall-street, for the purpose of being 
organized. 

What a sight ! From families, in rank the first in the 
city, in the very bloom of life, and full of its prospects, 
engaged in those amusements, which fascinate and 
engross the mind, tending in general to shut out every 
idea unconnected with self ! A society of young Ladies, 
in these circumstances, coming forward, and offering 
their own personal services to snatch these little inno- 
cents from idleness, ignorance, and vice— to teach them 
to know their Father, God ; to tell them of a Saviour's 
love ; to point out the example he set, the precepts he 
recorded for their observance, and his promises for 
their comfort; and by teaching them to read, to 
enable them to retrace all their instructions when their 
eyes should see them no more : — this, indeed, is a 



394 LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

labour of love, as superior to the institution which gave it 
birth, as the interest of the soul is to that of the body. 

Let us, Ladies, yield the palm of excellence, and give 
them the praise. " Many daughters have done virtuously 7 
but these have excelled them all. Favour is deceitful, 
and beauty is vain ; but a woman that feareth the Lord, 
she shall be praised." 

Mrs. Hoffman and myself have visited the school every 
Saturday, with the two who finish their week's attendance, 
and the two to commence the week following. We can 
assure you that the children make rapid improvement. 
We also visit the other schools, and can report that they 
also give us satisfaction. 

Years and seasons roll on — the wheel of Provi- 
dence keeps turning, bringing round great revolutions 
in the worlds, and smaller in narrower societies and 
among individuals: all equally under the direction of 
the great Maker and Governor of the universe, " who 
rules in the armies of Heaven, and among the inhabitants 
of this world." 



On opening a School for Poor Children ; addressed to the 
Teachers who volunteered their services. 



MY DEAR YOUNG LADIES, 

Every thing new becomes matter of speculation, 
and variety of opinion. 

An association of Ladies for the relief of destitute 
widows and orphans, was a new thing in this country. 
It was feeble in its origin ; many treated it with ridi- 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 393 

eule ; many raised against it the standard of opposition. 
The men conld not allow our sex the steadiness and 
perseverance necessary to establish such an undertaking. 
But God put his seal upon it ; and, under his foster- 
ing care, it has prospered beyond the most sanguine 
expectations of its projectors. Its fame is spread over 
the United States, and celebrated in foreign countries. 
It has been a precedent to many cities, who have 
followed the laudable example. This fame is not more 
brilliant than just. The hungry are fed, the naked 
are clothed, shelter is provided for the outcasts, and 
medicine for the sick ; and the soothing voice of sym- 
pathy cheers the disconsolate. Who are the authors 
of all these blessings? Your mothers, Ladies, the be- 
nevolent members of this, so justly famed Society. 
But, who are these children, that idly ramble through 
the streets, a prey to growing depravity and vicious 
example? They quarrel, they swear; and such, no 
doubt, will lie and steal. And that group of dear little 
creatures running about in the most imminent clanger? 
apparently without protection : are they under the care 
of this so justly-famed Society ? They are. They are 
fed, they are clothed, their mothers' fireside is made 
warm for them ; but no culture is provided for their 
minds, nor protection from baneful example. These 
will, in time, follow that of the older ones, and grow 
up the slaves of idleness and vice, in the certain road 
to ruin. 

Alas ! alas ! and is there no help, no preventive ? 
Yes, there is ! Behold the angelic band ! Hail, ye 
virtuous daughters, worthy of your virtuous mothers ! 
Come forward, and tread in their steps! Snatch their 
little innocents from the whirling vortex ; bring them to 
a place of safety; teach them to know their Father, 



S96 LIFE AND WRITINGS 01 

God; tell them of their Saviour's love; lead them 
through the history of his life : mark to them the example 
he set, the precepts he recorded for their observance, and 
the promises for their comfort : and by teaching them to 
read, enable them to retrace all your instructions, when 
their eyes see you no more. 

My dear young Ladies, the sacrifice you have made 
to virtue, shall most assuredly meet its reward : but, like 
your mothers, you will experience much painful banter. 
Let it pass— suffer it quietly. When your scheme begins 
to ripen, and the fruits appear, who shall be able to 
withhold their praise ? Only be steadfast, draw not back, 
and justify the prophecies of many. 

A great general, in ancient times, in search of glory, 
landed his troops on the hostile coast, and then burnt 
all his ships ; thus it became necessary for them to 
conquer or die. You have, Ladies, already embarked in 
this design ; there is no remaining neuter now ; your 
names and undertaking are in every mouth : you must 
press forward, and justify your cause ; and justified it 
shall be, if you persevere ; it cannot be otherwise. The 
benevolence you contemplate is as superior to that already 
in circulation, as the interest of the soul is to that of the 
body : and it is your own : the very scheme originated in 
a young mind in this company. The Society were con- 
templating mercenary agents, schools for pay ; and one is 
already established. 

But this labour of love who could have hoped for it ? 
A Society of young ladies, in rank the first in the city, 
in the very bloom of life, and full of its prospects, engaged 
in those pleasures and amusements, which generally 
engross the mind, and shut out every idea unconnected 
with self — coming forward and offering — what? Not 
their purses, that were trash : but their own personal 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 397 

services to instruct the ignorant, and become the savioure 
of many of their sex. It is indeed a new thing, and 
more strange, in this age of dissipation, than that in- 
stitution from which it sprang. May this, too, become 
the darling of Providence ! May God put his seal upon 
this also ! May he bless and prosper you in this un- 
dertaking ; bless you, and make you a blessing ! 



Extract from the concluding part of Mrs. Graham's last 
Will and Testament. 



' My children and my grandchildren I leave to my 
covenant God ; the God who has fed me, all my life, 
with the bread that perishes, and the bread that never 
perishes ; who has been a Father to my fatherless children, 
and a Husband to their widowed mother thus far. And 
now, receiving my Redeemer's testimony, (John, iii. 33.) 
I set to my seal that God is true ; believing the record 
in John's Epistle, that God hath given to me eternal 
life, and that this life is in his Son, who, through 
the eternal Spirit, offered himself without spot unto 
God, and being consecrated a Priest for ever, hath, 
with his own blood, entered into the holy place, having 
obtained eternal redemption for me ! I also believe 
that he will perfect what concerns me, support, and 
carry me safely through death, and present me to 
his Father, complete in his own righteousness, without 
spot or wrinkle. Into the hands of this redeeming God — 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I commit my redeemed 
spirit.' 



39S LIFE AND WRITINGS OF 

LINES 
ON THE DECEASE OF MRS. GRAHAM. 



Hark i did I hear the tolling bell 

Emit a sound of wo ! 
It sighs along the wind, to tell 

That Death has struck a blow. 

And could it sound the valued name 

Of her who low is laid ; 
And say, ? Tis Isabella Graham, 

The poor would feel dismay'd. 

Her love was ardent to her God, 
His precepts touch'd her heart, 

And thence the stream of mercy flow'd 
Rich blessings to impart. 

Struck with the grace that Jesus show'd, 

For guilty man to die ; 
She felt the weight of debt she ow'd, 

His name to glorify. 

Her ardent step was wont to seek 

Affliction's narrow door ; 
And, entering there, she lov'd to speak 

In mercy to the poor. 



MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM. 39$ 

With sympathy she heard their tale, 

And brought the comforts nigh ; 
But, most of all, would never fail 

To lead their thoughts on high. 

The orphan's innocence would melt 

Her feeling heart to tears ; 
And even those defiTd with guilt 

Had int'rest in her pray'rs. 

Her active mind, with wisdom stor'd, 

Beheld the widow's grief, 
And form'd such plans as might afford 

The destitute relief. 

The thoughtful habits of her soul 

Had o'er her face prevaiFd ; 
Her features wore the soft control 

Of charity conceal'd. 

From early youth, to good old age, 

She liv'd a life of faith : 
The comforts of the sacred page 

Upheld her soul in death. 

And is that form to move no more, 

That cloth'd a soul of love ?— 
The wings of faith that spirit bore 

To realms of bliss above. 

She 's gone, who fill'd th' admiring eye, 

And gain'd the throbbing heart : 
The daughter of Philanthropy 

Was suramon'd to depart. 



400 LIFE AXD WRITINGS, &C. 

But she has left a right behind, 
To gild the waste of wo, 

And lead the efforts of mankind 
New blessings to bestow. 



FINIS. 



LONDON: 
PRINTED BY WILLIAM C LOWES, 

KortkimiberJand-eou r t. 



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